DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Working Conditions

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster further to page 52 of the Cabinet Office Annual Report 2007-08, how many new reflection rooms have been established in  (a) Downing Street and  (b) the Cabinet Office in the last 24 months; and whether strategies to reduce workplace stress in these locations have been put in place.

Edward Miliband: The Prime Minister's Office forms an integral part of the Cabinet Office. The Cabinet Office is committed to the health and well-being of its staff, and has policies and support in place to manage and reduce workplace stress.
	Within the last 24 months one multi-faith and reflection room has been established in the Cabinet Office building on Great Smith street to support our continuing efforts to introduce accommodation and working practices better-suited to the needs of a diverse work force.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Camelot: Cost Effectiveness

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much additional income he expects  (a) UK Sport and  (b) each of the other national lottery distributors to receive as a result of cost savings identified by Camelot.

Andy Burnham: Camelot, as lottery operator, always seeks efficiency and to maximise returns to good causes. However no specific exercise of this kind has been carried out by the operator. The National Lottery Commission has indicated that under the third licence recently awarded to Camelot, which will run from 2009, returns to good causes are likely to increase by between £600 million and £1 billion over the 10-year period of the licence, based on constant levels of sales at £5 billion per annum and comparing the third licence increase with the terms applicable to the remainder of the second licence.

Digital Broadcasting: Borders Region

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been made available by Digital UK to the digital outreach scheme in the Scottish Borders area; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: This is a matter for Digital UK as the independent operator of the outreach scheme. Accordingly, I have asked the Chief Executive of Digital UK to reply directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the Chief Executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme: Borders Region

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people are eligible for assistance under the Digital Switchover Help Scheme in the area covered by the Selkirk television transmitter and its related relays on the grounds that they are  (a) over 75 years,  (b) in receipt of (i) disability living allowance, (ii) attendance allowance and (iii) constant attendance allowance and  (c) registered blind or partially sighted; what the overall percentage take-up of eligible people is to date; and how many have opted for (A) the default option of Sky, (B) a Freeview digital box, (C) a Freeview playback digital television recorder, (D) a new television with digital built-in, (E) Freesat and (F) Top Up TV.

Andy Burnham: The Department for Work and Pensions has so far identified 17,692 people in the Selkirk transmitter area who are eligible for assistance under the Digital Switchover Help Scheme, 11,747 of whom are aged 75 or over. The remainder are eligible because they are in receipt of disability living allowance, attendance allowance, constant attendance allowance or mobility supplement, but a breakdown of numbers in receipt of each allowance is not available as this information is not needed for the purposes of the scheme. A further 233 people in the Scottish Borders local authority area (which broadly covers the Selkirk transmitter area) are eligible by virtue of being registered blind or partially sighted.
	The Digital Switchover Help Scheme advise that the overall take-up of eligible people to date is 8.6 per cent. By the beginning of September, the scheme had received responses from about a quarter of those people who have received an application pack. About half of those eligible had opted to receive help and about half responded to opt out. Of those who have opted in (i.e. said they want help) 1,150 have made a choice and 375 have yet to choose. Of those who have made a choice:
	About 60 per cent. have chosen the standard offer of a Sky satellite system, about 33 per cent. have chosen to have a simple Freeview digital box, and the remainder have chosen from a Freeview digital television recorder, integrated television, Top Up enabled digital recorder or Freesat from BBC and ITV.
	It should be noted that this is early in the Help Scheme campaign, with two months still to go to switchover in Selkirk and some consumers yet to make up their minds, so the final picture will change.

Fast Track

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much his Department has paid to Fast Track for services related to the raising of £100 million in private sector sponsorship for elite sport; on what date a contract with Fast Track was signed; what the terms of the contract are; and what changes have been made to his Department's arrangements with Fast Track following the decision to reduce the target for private sector support for elite sport to £79 million.

Andy Burnham: The Department appointed Fast Track Sales Ltd. on 21 July 2008 to advise on ways to raise funds from the private sector to support the preparation of Britain's elite sporting talent. The Department has made no payment to Fast Track who are working on a commission only basis. The release of further information relating to the terms of the contract at this time would prejudice commercial interests. No changes have been made to this agreement in light of recent announcements.

Heritage Lottery Fund: Miners' Institutes

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many former miners' institutes applied for Heritage Lottery Fund grants in each year since 1997; and what percentage of such applications were successful in each of those years.

Andy Burnham: Information provided by the Heritage Lottery Fund regarding its awards made to miners' institutes, welfare clubs, social clubs and lodges is set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of applications  Value of awards (£)  Number successful  Number rejected  Success rate (percentage) 
			 1997-98 0 0 0 0 0 
			 1998-99 1 0 0 1 0 
			 1999-2000 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2000-01 2 10,426 2 0 100 
			 2001-02 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2002-03 2 0 0 2 0 
			 2003-04 1 17,200 1 0 100 
			 2004-05 0 0 0 0 0 
			 2005-06 2 4,300 1 1 50 
			 2006-07 2 150,000 1 1 50 
			 2007-08 2 0 0 2 0 
			 2008-09 1 0 1 0 100 
		
	
	Since its creation, the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded more than £87 million to over 300 projects related to the heritage of mining and miners.

Historic Buildings

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding his Department provides for the upkeep of buildings relating to 20th century industrial heritage.

Andy Burnham: Funding for the upkeep of historic buildings in England is provided by English Heritage. English Heritage operates a number of grant schemes that can provide funding for the repair of buildings related to 20th century industrial heritage where such sites are scheduled monuments, or buildings listed at Grade I or II*, or situated in conservation areas or London boroughs.

Historic Buildings

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to improve and preserve buildings relating to working-class history.

Andy Burnham: Through its role as the Government's statutory adviser on the historic environment, English Heritage has recommended for listing many buildings associated with working-class life and work. English Heritage's grant schemes have ensured futures for many buildings relating to working-class history.

Horse Racing: Bookmakers

Robert Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings there have been between his Department and the Racecourse Association on racecourse bookmakers since December 2007; and if he will place a copy of the minutes of each such meeting in the Library.

Andy Burnham: The Existing Betting Areas Working Party, chaired by an independent Chairman, Sholto Douglas-Home and containing representatives from the Racecourse Association (RCA) and the Federation of Racecourse Bookmakers (FRB) met seven times on 14 January, 22 January, 5 February, 18 February, 27 February, 27 March and 18 April 2008. DCMS officials provided secretariat for these meetings.
	On 30 April, the Department published a table containing a final position statement summarising the agreed positions of the FRB and RCA on all the key issues discussed during the Working Party meetings. I am placing further copies of this position statement in the House Library. It can also be viewed on the DCMS website at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/Existing bettingareasworkingpartyFinal.pdf
	It is intended that the position statement will be used to guide individual discussions that are taking place between racecourses and on-course bookmakers. I, therefore, do not believe it is necessary to place the full Working Party minutes in the House Library.

Leisure: Blackpool

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding his Department has provided for  (a) swimming pools and  (b) other leisure facilities in Blackpool since 2005.

Andy Burnham: The Department does not fund swimming pools or leisure facilities directly, which are primarily a matter for local authorities. Lottery funding to promote and invest in community sport facilities is allocated via Sport England. Sport England has advised that their total investment in grassroots and community sport in the Blackpool local authority since 2005 is £387,410. The majority of this funding was for revenue projects, such as coaching, but it includes £68,695 which was spent on facilities or capital expenditure. None of this capital funding was spent on swimming pools.

National Lottery Promotions Unit: Finance

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the running costs of the National Lottery Promotions Unit have been in each year since its establishment; and how much and what proportion of such costs were met by  (a) the national lottery and  (b) the Government in each such year.

Andy Burnham: The National Lottery Promotions Unit (NLPU) was established in 2003-04 to promote the National Lottery Good Causes. It is not a grant giver and it is not possible to disaggregate its running costs from campaign costs. The total funding received by NLPU in each year since establishment is as follows:
	
		
			   Amount (£) 
			 2003-04 389,720 
			 2000-05 4,088,406 
			 2005-06 3,061,866 
			 2006-07 2,173,109 
			 2007-08 2,719,622 
		
	
	Until the end of 2005-06, contributions in respect of the national lottery distributors met 50 per cent. of NLPU's costs. With effect from 2006-07, the contributions in respect of the national lottery distributors have met 66.66 per cent. of NLPU's costs. The remainder is funded by Camelot. The Government do not contribute financially to NLPU.

National Lottery Promotions Unit: Finance

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the  (a) National Lottery Distribution Fund and  (b) Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund has paid to the National Lottery Promotions Unit in each year since its establishment.

Andy Burnham: The National Lottery Distribution Fund and the Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund have not made any direct payments to the National Lottery Promotions Unit (NLPU). Under the terms of the licence to operate the national lottery, the NLPU receives a contribution to its funding on behalf of distributors by means of deductions from the operator's payments into the lottery distribution funds. The amounts received by the NLPU in respect of the distribution funds in each year were as follows:
	
		
			   Amount (£) 
			 2003-04 194,860 
			 2004-05 2,044,203 
			 2005-06 1,530,933 
			 2006-07 1,448,594 
			 2007-08 1,812,900

National Lottery: Historic Buildings

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria are used to assess applications for Lottery funding for renovations to historical buildings.

Andy Burnham: The Heritage Lottery Fund assesses all applications against its strategic aims. In addition, the Heritage Lottery Fund considers project planning and delivery, project costs and partnership funding, long-term viability and value for money.

National Lottery: Historic Buildings

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much Lottery funding was awarded to preserve historical buildings built  (a) before 1900 and  (b) after 1900 in the last 12 months.

Andy Burnham: The information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Sports

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department has taken to encourage people to undertake sporting activity for at least 30 minutes a day.

Andy Burnham: As part of our policy to create a world leading sporting nation, the Government want to engage a million more people in regular sport participation—a 30 minute session of sport three times a week—which represents a crucial plank of our legacy commitment to get 2 million people more active by 2012. On 10 June 2008, Sport England launched its new strategy which will create a world leading community sports system across England.
	Departmental and lottery funding to promote and invest in community and grassroots sports is allocated via Sport England. Since the creation of the lottery over £2 billion has been invested by Sport England into community sport. In addition over the last six financial years (ending 2007-08) Sport England has also invested over £338 million exchequer funding directly into community sport.

Swimming Pools: Repairs and Maintenance

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the cost of works associated with providing all municipal swimming pools with a 30-year life.

Andy Burnham: I have made no assessment of the cost of works associated with providing all municipal swimming pools with a 30-year life. Decisions on the provision and maintenance of local leisure services, including pool facilities, are primarily for local authorities.
	As part of the recent free swimming initiative, capital funding will be available to help modernise pool infrastructure in support of the free swimming offer. Sport England published a prospectus for bids for funding from financial year 2009-10 which includes further information and can be found at:
	www.sportengland.org/index/get_funding/swimming_capital_ modernisation_programme.htm
	<http://www.sportengland.org/index/get_funding/swimming_ capital_modernisation_programme.htm>.

VisitBritain: Finance

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect of the recent funding decisions and levels of staffing at VisitBritain on his Department's progress towards the target of creating a £100 billion tourism industry by 2010.

Andy Burnham: The funding decisions which affected VisitBritain following last year's comprehensive spending review were intended to better focus the Government's investment in areas which impact on inbound and domestic tourism. This included funding from my Department to ensure continued free entry to national museums.
	Following those decisions, my Department commissioned an ambitious framework review of public sector tourism support from VisitBritain. That review will report shortly. In advance of the end of that process, VisitBritain has made its own decisions about its future levels of staffing, and is now in discussion with representatives of its work force with a view to implementing them.
	My Department is confident that the results of the framework review will produce significant improvements in the service which VisitBritain and its public sector partners provide to the British tourism industry. These improvements will assist greatly in work towards the £100 billion target, and in making the most of the opportunities of the 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games for tourism.

World Heritage Sites

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to put forward sites to UNESCO for designation as world heritage sites.

Andy Burnham: The Government have announced their intention to nominate the following sites to UNESCO for World Heritage Site status for the next two years: Darwin at Downe in 2009, and the twin Monastery of Wearmouth and Jarrow in 2010.

PRIME MINISTER

Banks

Harry Cohen: To ask the Prime Minister what matters were discussed at his meeting with bank representatives in April 2008; what undertakings were made by  (a) him and  (b) the bank representatives at the meeting; what decisions were made at the meeting; and if he will make a statement.

Gordon Brown: As set out in the press briefing given by my spokesman on 14 April 2008, this meeting was a wide-ranging breakfast with representatives from the City, prior to my trip to Wall Street later that week. It focused on the issues surrounding global finance and the financial services sector. A transcript of this press briefing is available on the No. 10 website at:
	http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page15265
	and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Internet

Mark Hoban: To ask the Prime Minister how much the most recent redesign of the No. 10 website cost.

Gordon Brown: The No. 10 website has been updated to include more news content, videos and in-depth features. The costs associated with the redesign will be included in the overall running costs of the website. Figures for the financial year 2008-09 will be available when the Cabinet Office annual resource accounts have been audited.

JUSTICE

Departmental Data Protection

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many private contractors have been granted access to personal data held by his Department in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: The Ministry of Justice has identified 77 contracts with external organisations which involve the processing of personal data.
	These contracts involve 52 different organisations (private companies and public and other organisations).
	The Ministry of Justice expects that all personal information handled on its behalf is managed in accordance with the Cabinet Office's Final Report on Data Handling Procedures in Government, the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Government's Manual of Protective Security.

Departmental Responsibilities

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which projects his Department has commissioned from  (a) think-tanks and  (b) charities in each of the last two years for which figures are available; what the aim of each project was; which think-tank or charity was commissioned; and how much was paid.

Michael Wills: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Elections

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what his policy is on the Electoral Commission's recommendation that changes to electoral law and regulation should not be introduced or commenced within the six months prior to an election.

Michael Wills: The Electoral Commission's report "Electoral administration in the United Kingdom", published in August 2008, said (paragraph 6.34):
	"Both the UK and Scottish governments should ensure that changes to legislation that has an impact on the administration of elections are not applied to any election or electoral registration event held within six months of the new provision coming into force, other than in limited circumstances in which changes may be beneficial, including instances where electors' interests are clearly at issue or where minor technical amendments are required."
	This recommendation supports that made by Sir Ron Gould following his examination of the administration of the 2007 Scottish Parliament and local elections. The Government agree with the principle that legislation affecting the administration of elections should be in force in good time, but recognise the Commission's suggestion that there may be instances where legislation supporting the administration of elections may be necessary within the months preceding a poll.

Electoral Administration in the United Kingdom

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the Electoral Commission's recent report "Electoral Administration in the United Kingdom".

Michael Wills: We welcome the Electoral Commission's report and will give careful consideration to its recommendations.

Magistrates Courts: ICT

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many magistrates courts have access to full Libra functionality; and when he expects all magistrates courts to have such access.

Maria Eagle: 243 out of approximately 370 magistrates courts are now operating with full Libra functionality. Libra will be deployed to all magistrates courts in England and Wales by the end of December 2008.

Political Levy

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward proposals to require trade unions to inform members and putative members of their right to opt out of the political levy prior to joining or renewing membership.

Patrick McFadden: I have been asked to reply.
	The establishment and operation of trade union political funds are tightly regulated. We have no plans at present to extend the regulatory requirements further.

Political Parties and Elections Bill 2007-08

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what timetable he proposes for the  (a) parliamentary passage of the Political Parties and Elections Bill and  (b) the (i) commencement and (ii) implementation of the Bill's provisions once enacted.

Michael Wills: The Political Parties and Elections Bill, which the Justice Secretary introduced to this House on 17 July, will progress through Parliament in the usual way. The commencement arrangements for the provisions are set out in clause 19 of the Bill. The provisions listed in subsection (4) will come into force on Royal Assent; all other clauses will be commenced by order. The timetable for implementation will depend upon the nature of the clause.

Political Parties: Finance

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make it his policy to ensure that the proposed new trigger rules on election candidates spending will not come into force until final guidance on the application and operation of the rules has been issued by the Electoral Commission.

Michael Wills: The Political Parties and Elections Bill (Bill 141), introduced to the House of Commons on 17 July 2008, includes provision for the reintroduction of triggering in relation to a candidate's expenditure limit at a parliamentary general election. The Bill provides that the rules on triggering will come into force on the date of Royal Assent.
	Schedule 4A of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (RPA), as inserted by the Electoral Administration Act 2006 (EAA), sets out in detail the matters which are and are not to be regarded as counting towards a candidate's expenditure limit. The schedule also states that the Electoral Commission may issue a code of practice giving guidance on candidate spending. Such a code must be laid in draft before both Houses and is regarded as having been approved by Parliament provided that neither House resolves not to approve it within 40 days. It may then be published. Schedule 4A of the RPA has been in effect since 11 June 2006 without a code of practice having been produced (though the Commission has published other documents providing guidance for parties, candidates and agents on election spending).
	The Bill provides that in addition to the existing power to issue a code of practice, the Commission may also include in any code of practice guidance on when expenditure will be for election purposes (i.e. the circumstances in which the candidate spending limits are triggered). This is not a prerequisite to the legislation coming into force.

Prison Service: Ethnic Groups

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many senior staff in the Prison Service are from an ethnic minority background.

David Hanson: Information in the following table shows the total figures for public and contracted establishments.
	
		
			  N umber and proportion of BME senior staff( 1,2,3) — public sector only 
			   Number/proportion 
			 Number of senior BME staff 242 
			 Proportion of senior staff recorded as BME (Percentage) 6.36 
			 (1 )Ethnic minority background has been classified as those staff from a black and ethnic minority background (BME). (2 )Senior staff has been classified as senior civil servants, senior managers, managers, medical officer and senior medical officers in operational and non-operational posts.  (3) Percentage as a proportion of those with known ethnicity. 
		
	
	As the 11 contracted prisons do not use the same grading structure as the public sector and as each individual provider has their own variations, it is not possible to provide an exact comparison. However, of the directors, deputy director and those on the senior management teams at eight of the eleven contracted establishments a total of five staff are from an ethnic minority background.
	Information from one provider was not available at the time of the request.

Prisons: Crime

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many incidents of  (a) a sexual nature other than sexual assault,  (b) sexual assault,  (c) violence,  (d) theft and  (e) other offences occurred in prisons in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and how many of these incidents were (i) prisoner on prisoner, (ii) prisoner on staff and (iii) staff on prisoner.

Maria Eagle: The information requested is as follows:
	 Incidents of a sexual nature other than sexual assault
	Data are only available centrally in the category 'sexual assaults'. No further breakdown is available.
	 Incidents of sexual assault
	The following table summarises the numbers of sexual assault incidents. These will include some unproven allegations. A small number refer to incidents that may have occurred before prison custody.
	
		
			   Prisoner on prisoner  Prisoner on officer  Prisoner on other  Other  Total 
			 1998(1) 62 13 0 4 79 
			 1999(1) 76 15 4 1 96 
			 2000(1) 82 15 9 9 115 
			 2001(1) 69 11 13 7 100 
			 2002 112 14' 10 6 142 
			 2003 92 18 15 6 131 
			 2004 102 20 15 6 143 
			 2005 87 22 12 18 139 
			 2006 93 27 9 18 147 
			 2007 103 17 10 5 135 
			 (1) Due to improved recording over the years, figures from 1998 to 2001 are not directly comparable with those from later years.  Notes: 1. The numbers supplied refer to the number of individual assault incidents. Assault information is recorded at establishment level in four categories: Prisoner on Prisoner, Prisoner on Officer, Prisoner on Other and Other (i.e. non-prisoner perpetrators). 2. The 'Prisoner on Officer' and 'Prisoner on Other' categories mostly refer to sexual assaults on staff; however the latter category may include some non staff victims for example visitors. 3. The 'Other' category includes assaults or allegations of assault by non prisoners including any by staff, visitors etc. 
		
	
	 Incidents of violence
	Central data do not use the collective term 'violence' therefore assault data have been provided. Assault data are complex and may include threatening behaviour, projection of bodily fluids, other non-contact incidents and allegations. Information on assault incidents may involve more than one assailant or more than one victim. In a proportion of incidents only the victim is known.
	The information is set out as follows but is subject to important qualifications. The Prison Service Incident Reporting System processes high volumes of data which are constantly being updated. The numbers provide an indication of overall numbers but should not be interpreted as absolute. The numbers supplied refer to the number of individual assault incidents. Assault information is recorded at establishment level in four categories: Prisoner on Prisoner, Prisoner on Officer, Other (i.e. non-prisoner perpetrators) and Prisoner on Other. The recorded incidents of assaults on prison officers are not completely exclusive to officers; establishment recording sometimes includes assaults on other prison staff, i.e. non-uniform staff in this category.
	
		
			   Prisoner on prisoner  Prisoner on officer  Prisoner on other  Other  Total 
			 1998(1) 3,814 1,589 108 89 5,600 
			 1999(1) 5,459 1,867 133 93 7,552 
			 2000(1) 7,192 1,929 147 149 9,417 
			 2001(1) 7,941 2,378 199 151 10,669 
			 2002 8,701 2,503 170 133 11,507 
			 2003 8,957 2,522 187 151 11,817 
			 2004 9,417 2,763 215 149 12,544 
			 2005 10,887 3,091 201 217 14,396 
			 2006 11,526 3,125 197 199 15,047 
			 2007 11,991 2,870 208 156 15,225 
			 (1) Due to improved recording over the years, particularly for fighting, figures from 1998 to 2001 are not directly comparable with those from later years.  Note: A small number of unclassified assault incidents have been excluded from this table. 
		
	
	Separate data on staff on prisoner assaults are not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	 Incidents of theft and other offences occurring in prisons in England and Wales
	There is no disciplinary offence of "theft" under the Prison Rules, but the following table shows the number of offences by prisoners under Prison Rule 51(5) "takes improperly any article belonging to another person or to a prison" punished at adjudications in prisons in England and Wales from 1999 to 2006 (the latest year available).
	These figures, based on adjudication data, have been extracted from Prison Statistics, England and Wales 1999-2002, and the Offender Management Caseload Statistics (OMCS) 2003-2006. The OMCS for 2006 and supplementary tables are available on the Ministry of Justice website at
	www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm
	where links to earlier publications may also be found. The OMCS do not include information on whether articles were taken from other prisoners or from staff, nor on the number of cases that may have been dealt with by the police (which would normally include those where the theft was accompanied by the use or threat of serious violence, or a weapon), nor those where the disciplinary charge was not proven.
	The table also shows the number of "other" offences punished at adjudication, which has been calculated by subtracting the total number of violent offences (including all assaults, detaining another person, and fighting) and offences of "taking improperly" from the total of all offences for each year.
	
		
			   Taking improperly  Other offences 
			 1999 942 88,214 
			 2000 811 88,464 
			 2001 903 90,559 
			 2002 829 87,822 
			 2003 633 88,470 
			 2004 565 90,784 
			 2005 604 91,913 
			 2006 648 87,381 
			
			 Total 5,935 713,607 
		
	
	 Staff on prisoner
	Information on theft and other offences committed by staff on prisoner is not collected centrally.

Prisons: Mental Health Services

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 21 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1247W, on prisons: mental health services, what the weekly cost is of commissioning treatment for an individual through a therapeutic community at  (a) HMP Blundeston,  (b) HMP Dovegate,  (c) HMP Gartree,  (d) HMP Grendon and  (e) HMP Send; and what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on the treatment of people in prisons with severe personality disorder.

Maria Eagle: Information on the weekly cost of commissioning treatment within therapeutic communities is not collected separately nor reported centrally. A number of factors affect the costs of prisons and so comparisons must be made with caution. These factors include: the size of prison, its age, design, the occupancy level, the prison security level, the type of prisoner and the activities carried out in the prison. All of the therapeutic communities operating within prisons are part of a larger establishment or grouping and although the accommodation of each community is separate and distinct, costs are reported as part of the whole. The establishment costs per prison place are listed as shown, alongside the number of therapeutic community places provided in each institution.
	
		
			  Establishment  TC places  CNA of prison  Cost per  place (£) 
			 HMP Blundeston 40 421 27,765 
			 HMP Dovegate 200 860 30,850 
			 HMP Gartree 23 666 25,495 
			 HMP Grendon 235 587 25,910 
			 HMP Send 40 221 36,085 
		
	
	The Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health have over the past seven years, worked together to establish a range of pilot services for dangerous offenders with severe personality disorder. As part of the Dangerous and Severe Personality Disorder Programme, a total of 150 places are available in prisons and 191 plus in secure hospitals. These treatment programmes are in the process of being independently evaluated, to help inform decisions about the future shape and direction of such services.

Secure Training Centres: Restraint Techniques

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what steps his Department plans to take in response to the recent child restraint rules court judgment; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The Court of Appeal has reversed the earlier decision of the divisional court that the Secure Training Centre (Amendment) Rules 2007 should not be quashed.
	The effect of the Court's decision is to remove the legal authority for custody officers to remove trainees at secure training centres from association with other trainees, or to use physical restraint, for the purpose of ensuring good order and discipline at the centre. The Youth Justice Board has advised secure training centres on the immediate implications of the Court's ruling.
	Maintaining good order and discipline at a secure establishment is essential if those who live and work there are to be kept safe. The Ministry of Justice and Department for Children, Schools and Families, who share joint responsibility for youth justice, have examined the Court's judgment with great care. We are applying to the House of Lords for permission to appeal.

Witnesses: Pilot Schemes

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the operation of the Witness Charter pilots in the 10 beacon areas.

Michael Wills: The Witness Charter is one of a number of criminal justice reform projects delivered by Local Criminal Justice Boards. The Office for Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR) is currently conducting an assessment of the benefits the charter will have for witnesses, drawing on the experience of areas in delivering it. In addition, OCJR has also collated good practice from these areas in implementing the charter.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Bromine

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he plans to make a decision on the appeal relating to the Sandridge bromate contamination in Hertfordshire.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA is considering a Planning Inspector's report on this matter, which relates to appeals made under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Secretary of State expects to make a decision by October 2008.

Carbon

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the carbon price on page seven of the Financial Impact Assessment, if set at the optimal level, differs from the Shadow price of carbon set out on page 20.

Phil Woolas: The Shadow Price of Carbon (SPC) set out on page 20 of the Climate Change Bill: Final Impact Assessment is taken from DEFRA's cross-departmental guidance (published December 2007) on how to value the impact of Government policies on greenhouse gas emissions. The SPC captures the costs of climate change that are associated with each additional tonne of emissions, and is consistent with the carbon price referred to on page 7—at the highest stabilisation level within the Stern Review's recommended range.
	The guidance adopting the SPC as the basis for valuing these impacts was fully informed by the Stern Review's estimates of the cost of climate change. Under this approach, the SPC depends upon the expected costs of climate change, and consequently upon the emissions trajectory that the world is expected to move onto and the eventual stabilisation level that is expected. The value of the SPC used reflects the highest potential costs of climate change under the Stern Review's recommended stabilisation range of 450-550 parts per million carbon dioxide equivalent, in order to ensure that the UK is taking sufficient action to help us to achieve this stabilisation range.
	DEFRA is currently reviewing the SPC, as committed to in the December 2007 publication. The scope of this review is to consider the case for moving to an SPC that is consistent with the marginal abatement cost that would be required to reach the UK's targets, rather than the current damage cost based approach. This review is ongoing.

Departmental Alcoholic Drinks

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what purchasing process is used by his Department for the procurement of alcohol for hospitality purposes.

Jonathan R Shaw: Hospitality is intended to cover occasions where there is a need to provide hospitality for others. Hospitality may therefore be provided only if it is in the public interest and necessary for the conduct of departmental business to do so. As a general rule, expenditure on alcohol for hospitality purposes is not allowed. The core-Department's catering services provider does not hold a licence to serve alcohol. Were alcohol to be purchased for hospitality purposes it should be acquired through formal purchase order, or through the Government Procurement Card, both of which methods are subject to formal authorisation procedures.

Departmental Buildings

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department's policy is on improving the energy efficiency of the buildings which it  (a) rents and  (b) owns; what changes there have been in the energy efficiency of such buildings in the last (i) five and (ii) 10 years; and whether his Department has adopted targets on energy efficiency improvements in the buildings it occupies over the next (A) five and (B) 10 years.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is committed to improving the energy efficiency of all buildings that it owns and to work with landlords to improve the energy efficiency of those buildings which it rents.
	The Department has signed up to the Carbon Trust's Carbon Management Programme and in 2007, became the first Department to gain the Energy Efficiency Accreditation Scheme award for its core Department and executive agencies. This standard measures improvement in energy efficiency in 19 specific areas and is widely recognised as an industry standard in measuring efficiency gains.
	DEFRA is currently producing benchmarks for its sites using the CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) TM22 Energy Assessment and Reporting Methodology. This supports the roll out of display energy certificates which is required for all public buildings over 1000m(2).

Departmental Buildings

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what account his Department takes of the level of energy efficiency of buildings before entering into agreements to  (a) rent and  (b) purchase those buildings.

Jonathan R Shaw: Where the acquisition of new premises involves new build or substantial refurbishment the Department will insist on the building attaining the BREEAM Excellent construction standard or above. Design at this level seeks to optimise the energy efficiency performance the building can deliver.
	The Department is also keen to support sustainability around the re-use of existing premises either forming part of its own estate or the wider Government estate. The Department will always seek to identify the property with the best overall sustainability score to minimise our environmental impact. In seeking re-use of existing premises, especially older premises on the civil estate, it is not always possible to secure the highest environmental or energy performance standards. As a consequence, where appropriate, planned investment will be employed to improve environmental and energy efficiency of older buildings acquired.
	While the Department looks for sustainability and energy efficiency, the identification and acquisition of premises is often market dependent. The supply of greener buildings can be limited outside the major towns and cities, especially for specialist buildings and locations. In such circumstances, the Department seeks the best sustainability performance available and encourages potential landlords to invest in sustainability and sustainable technologies.
	This approach is employed whether the buildings are acquired freehold or leasehold.

Departmental Buildings

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which organisations have received  (a) free and  (b) discounted room hire from (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies in each of the last five years; and what the commercial value of the discount was in each case.

Jonathan R Shaw: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Compensation

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the 10 highest payments made by his Department were under property compensation cases brought against it over the last 12 months for which figures are available; which of the cases were  (a) contested and  (b) uncontested by his Department; and what the nature of each incident was.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs had not made any payments under property compensation cases brought against it over the last 12 months.

Departmental ICT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what IT contracts his Departments and its agencies have entered into in the last two years.

Jonathan R Shaw: The IT contracts entered into by DEFRA and its agencies in the last two years are listed as follows.
	 DEFRA
	Atos (Application Development Services)
	Vizuri Ltd. (Strategic Consultancy, and Security Testing and Verification Services)
	 Central Science Laboratory
	2e2 UK Ltd. Server and Hardware (maintenance agreement).
	Adept Scientific plc (software agreement—site licences).
	Adept Scientific plc (software maintenance).
	Anatune (Scientific software support contract).
	Applied Network Solutions (Support for software).
	AppSense (software support contract).
	Armadillo Managed Services (Support contract).
	Barclays Bank (BACS Software maintenance—supplier payments).
	Becrypt Ltd. (Encryption software maintenance).
	Big Fish Internet (domain name renewal).
	CESG Commercial Services (supply of key material).
	Cetus Solutions (technical support agreement).
	Cetus Solutions (customer support Programme and Technical support) Cetus Solutions (Software Licences).
	CMP Information Ltd (Health and Safety Software licence) COA Solutions (support and maintenance for finance software) COA Solutions P3E (support and maintenance for project software).
	COA Solutions (support and maintenance for e-Marketplace to Finance system software).
	COA Solutions (support and maintenance for finance software).
	COA Solutions (support and maintenance for finance software).
	COA Solutions (licences for Business Objects reporting—finance software).
	Customer Focus Software (UK) Ltd. (Customer Relationship management software support and maintenance).
	Eduserve—Subscription to Map Data to support science projects Hearne Scientific Software (Scientific software—Suite Single user standalone licence).
	Ideagen (annual support for Workbench Quality Assurance Software).
	ItChannel International (Support for remote access to network PCs).
	ItChannel International (hardware support).
	Keystone Computer Group (Sun Server Hardware Support Agreement).
	Lintel Software Consultancy Ltd. (Software Support).
	Matrix Communications Group (Software Support).
	Minitab (software support)
	Network Disaster Recovery Ltd. (disaster recovery service).
	Phoenix Software Ltd. (licences and software support).
	S Store Ltd. (software support)
	SAS Software Ltd. (software support).
	Science Warehouse Ltd.—Membership Fee—Electronic Marketplace (price comparison site).
	SirsiDynix—Software Support
	Software Box Ltd.—(licence and support).
	Software Box Ltd. (software support).
	Software Box Ltd. (Encryption software support).
	SPSS UK Ltd. (licences for continued use of Windows applications).
	Systat Software (software support).
	The Mathworks Ltd. (Statisics Software support).
	Thermo Electron (system support for Laboratory Information Management System software).
	Tower Software UK (software support for Electronic Records Management).
	VSN International Ltd. (software maintenance and support).
	Wolters Kluwer (Scientific Software, annual licence)
	 Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
	ACT (maintenance and support).
	Avanquest (Rightfax) (maintenance and support).
	Boxing Orange (service, maintenance and support).
	BT iNet/TNS (maintenance and support).
	CSTL (maintenance and support).
	Foursys (maintenance and support).
	Gradian Systems Ltd. (maintenance and support).
	Webroot (Softcat) (maintenance and support).
	Westgate (maintenance and support).
	Sapphire Systems (maintenance and support).
	Requisoft (maintenance and support).
	 Rural Payments Agency
	Xansa (UK) Ltd. (application support and maintenance).
	SunGard Ltd. (development and maintenance of RADX applications).
	DSGi Business, a trading division of DSG Retail Ltd. (supply of ICT Goods and Associated Services).
	Software AG (UK) Ltd. (provision of e-channel goods and services).
	 Veterinary Medicines Directorate
	Insight Consulting (support for ISO 27001 security accreditation).
	SGS (ISO 27001 Auditors) (auditor).
	VLA Security (maintenance).
	Intercept (network support and maintenance).
	Solutions 8 (annual clean of IT hardware).
	MJM Solutions (document management support and maintenance).
	Sunrise (helpdesk support and maintenance).
	 Veterinary Laboratories Agency
	SfW Ltd.
	The following were negotiated under the Scat/Catalist framework:
	Amtec Consulting (security advice)
	Business Objects (data analysis reporting systems)
	Fujitsu Service (security advice)
	NCC Group (security penetration testing)
	OpenText (Document management systems)
	IDBS (Laboratory notebook evaluation)
	Hornbill (IT Helpdesk and asset systems).

Departmental Inquiries

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what independent inquiries have been commissioned by his Department in the last five years; what the  (a) purpose and  (b) cost was of each; and what steps were taken following each.

Jonathan R Shaw: My Department has commissioned a number of inquiries in the last five years. The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Manpower

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the change in the number of employees in his Department and its agencies has been since July 2006.

Jonathan R Shaw: The number of staff in DEFRA and its agencies (in full-time equivalents) has reduced from on 12,650 on 31 July 2006 to 10,375 on 31 May 2008.
	During this period, 1,160 DEFRA staff transferred to the newly-created Natural England on 1 October 2006 and 175 staff in the Pesticide Safety Directorate transferred to the Health and Safety Executive on 1 April 2008.

Departmental Procurement

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department's policy is on requesting discounts from its suppliers in return for swift payment of invoices.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department's payment policy is to pay its suppliers within 30 days or less of receipt of a valid, undisputed invoice. Decisions on requesting discounts from its suppliers in return for earlier payment of valid and undisputed invoices would be taken on a case by case basis subject to value for money considerations and be consistent with HM Treasury Accounting Rules (Managing Public Money).

Departmental Public Participation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what (a) reviews and  (b) public consultations have been initiated by his Department since 27 June 2007.

Jonathan R Shaw: A full list of public consultations published by DEFRA since 27 June 2007 to 18 July 2008 (a total of 86) is set out as follows. All public consultations published by the Department since January 2006 are available on the DEFRA website:
	www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/default.asp.
	My Department does not hold information centrally on the reviews that it undertakes. The information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Date  Consultation 
			 28 June 2007 Consultation on the interpretation of the definition of municipal waste used in the Landfill Allowance Trading scheme 
			 3 July 2007 Consultation on implementation of part 1 of the Commons Act 2006 
			 11 July 2007 Wildlife health strategy 
			 18 July 2007 Consultation on the Fourth Environmental Permitting Programme 
			 18 July 2007 Consultation on Salmonella in laying flocks 
			 19 July 2007 Consultation on DEFRA's Contingency Plan for Exotic Animal Diseases 
			 25 July 2007 Consultation on the implementation options for the transfer of private sewers to water and sewerage companies 
			 27 July 2007 Consultation on the Soil Framework Directive 
			 1 August 2007 Consultation on the implementation of the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register, and the establishment of a UK Pollutant Release and Transfer Register 
			 3 August 2007 Consultation on energy services directive 
			 13 August 2007 Consultation on "Recycle on the GO" 
			 15 August 2007 Consultation on UK report regarding plans and programmes to meet EU air quality limit values (reporting year 2005) 
			 17 August 2007 Consultation on Commission Proposal to recast Directive 92/34 on the marketing of fruit plant propagating material and plants 
			 21 August 2007 Consultation on Catchment Sensitive farming/nitrates and diffuse water pollution—three consultations to be launched 
			 7 September 2007 Consultation on statutory measures to protect areas of Lyme Bay 
			 10 September 2007 Consultation on a draft second edition of IPPC SG6 for A2 activities in the Solvents sector 
			 19 September 2007 Consultation on a licensing scheme for the sale and purchase of non-compliant paints for use on historic buildings and vintage vehicles 
			 5 October 2007 Consultation on LA Environmental Regulation of Industrial Plant: 2008-09 Fees and Charges 
			 8 October 2007 Consultation on packaging targets 
			 10 October 2007 Consultation on Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 
			 7 November 2007 Consultation on double tagging of sheep and goat 
			 8 November 2007 Consultations on amendment to Schedule 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and Orders to ban the sale of certain non-native species 
			 12 November 2007 Consultation on the implementation of the revised Bathing Water Directive 
			 12 October 2007 Consultation on amendments to mutilations regulations (England) 2007 
			 12 October 2007 Consultation on a system of Administrative penalties for fisheries offences 
			 13 October 2007 Consultation on possible changes of use of personal data held on the GB Poultry register 
			 16 October 2007 Consultation on Third Sector 
			 19 November 2007 Consultation on the merger of PSD into HSE 
			 6 December 2007 Consultation on recreational sea angling 
			 11 December 2007 Consultation on Cost Sharing and Responsibility Sharing 
			 13 December 2007 Consultation on energy services directive Article 5 
			 19 December 2007 Consultation on Aquatic Animal Health Directive transposition 
			 19 December 2007 Consultation on the recommendations of the Climate Change Simplification project 
			 20 December 2007 Consultation on Options for Implementing the Batteries Directive 
			 21 December 2007 Consultation on auction design for Phase II of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme 
			 31 December 2007 Consultation on Spirits regulations 
			 31 December 2007 Consultation on Scotch Whisky regulations 
			 9 January 2008 Consultation on proposal of 2 per cent. milk quotas 
			 14 January 2008 Consultation on national listing and plant breeders' Right fees 
			 7 February 2008 Consultation on Surface Water Management 
			 7 February 2008 Consultation on guidance to Ofwat 
			 7 February 2008 Consultation on Phosphates in detergents—laundry 
			 17 January 2008 Consultation on mining waste Directive (CLG led) 
			 21 January 2008 Consultation on Sustainable products 
			 4 February 2008 Consultation on charging for CITES licences 
			 30 January 2008 Consultation on the future of the Aggregates Levy Sustainability fund April 2008 to March 2011 
			 25 February 2008 Consultation on river basin planning (volume) 
			 27 February 2008 Consultation on the transposition of Council Directive 2006/117/Euratom 
			 29 February 2008 Consultation on Implementation of Fruit and Vegetable Reforms 
			 29 February 2008 Consultation on Environmental Liability Directive: 2nd consultation 
			 7 March 2008 Consultation on European Fisheries Fund: UK Operational programme (1st phase) 
			 7 March 2008 Consultation on measures to protect the Fal and Helford Special Area of Conservation (SAC) from the impacts of fishing with dredges and other towed gear 
			 7 March 2008 Consultation on Statutory Notification Requirements for Potatoes Introduced into England and Wales from other EU member states 
			 17 March 2008 Consultation on joint Waste Authorities 
			 18 March 2008 Consultation on Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007; Directive 2004/12/EC (amending Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste) 
			 20 March 2008 Consultation on the remaking of the Drinking Milk Regulations 
			 31 March 2008 Consultation on Soil Strategy for England 
			 3 April 2008 Consultation on TSE Regulations 2007 
			 3 April 2008 Consultation draft Marine Bill 
			 8 April 2008 Consultation on the strategy of health of honey bees 
			 2 May 2008 Consultation on European Fisheries Fund: UK Operational programme (2nd phase) 
			 7 May 2008 Consultation on the EU Commission's proposals to amend the EU ETS from 2013 
			 9 May 2008 Consultation on the remaking of Eggs and Chicks (England) Regulations 2008 
			 14 May 2008 Consultation on draft AQEG report: Ozone in the United Kingdom 
			 14 May 2008 Consultation on EPAQS report: guidelines for metals and metalloids in ambient air for the protection of human health 
			 14 May 2008 Consultation on EPAQS report: Addendum to Guidelines for halogen and hydrogen halides in ambient air for protecting human health against acute irritancy effects 
			 28 May 2008 Consultation on Groundwater Regulations 
			 29 May 2008 Consultation on the European Commission's proposed Directive on Industrial Emissions (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) (Recast)—Intensive livestock 
			 29 May 2008 Consultation on the European Commission's proposed Directive on Industrial Emissions (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) (Recast) 
			 29 May 2008 Consultation on the European Commission's proposed Directive on Industrial Emissions (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control) (Recast)—Combustion Plants 
			 2 June 2008 Consultation on REACH Enforcement 
			 2 June 2008 Consultation on Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976—reform order 
			 6 June 2008 Consultation on the European Commission's proposed Directive on Industrial Emissions (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control)(Recast)—emissions 
			 9 June 2008 Consultation on CAP Health checks 
			 13 June 2008 Consultation on Wine SI 2008 
			 16 June 2008 Consultation on Sector Guidance Note SG8: Rendering 
			 12 June 2008 Consultation on White Paper—Radioactive waste 
			 13 June 2008 Consultation on the 2nd consultation on Waste crime 
			 18 June 2008 Consultation on revised UK Strategy for Radioactive waste discharge limits 2006-30 
			 23 June 2008 Consultation on Revised Membership Arrangements for Northumberland National Park Authority 
			 30 June 2008 Consultation on Wildlife Management strategy 
			 30 June 2008 Consultation on Our Seas: A Shared Resource 
			 1 July 2008 Consultation on Beef and Veal Labelling 
			 4 July 2008 Consultation on Air Quality guidance 
			 11 July 2008 Consultation on proposed Regulations—further implementation measures—fluorinated greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances 
			 15 July 2008 Consultation on Phytophthora Ramorum and Phytophthora kemoviae

Departmental Sick Leave

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  how many staff in  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) the non-departmental bodies for which it has responsibility have taken sick days due to (i) stress and (ii) mental health and behavioural disorders in each of the last 10 years; what proportion of staff of each body this represented in each year; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many sick days were taken by employees in  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) the non-departmental bodies for which it has responsibility due to (i) stress and (ii) mental health and behavioural disorders in each of the last 10 years; what proportion of sick days taken this represented in each case; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what the average duration of single periods of sick leave taken by staff in  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) the non-departmental bodies for which it has responsibility who gave (i) stress and (ii) mental health and behavioural disorders as the reason for their absence was in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what the average duration of single periods of sick leave taken by staff in  (a) his Department,  (b) its agencies and  (c) the non-departmental bodies for which it has responsibility was in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Information on sickness absences in 2004, 2005, 2006-07 for DEFRA and its agencies can be found on the civil service website:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/about/statistics/sickness.asp
	All three illnesses are grouped together as 'Mental and Behavioural Disorders'.
	Data for 2007-08 are not yet available but will be published later in the year.
	Data for years prior to 2004 are not held electronically and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Data on sickness absence in DEFRA's NDPBs are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Sick Leave

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what percentage of staff in his Department have had more than two periods of sickness of less than five days in each of the last three years.

Jonathan R Shaw: The following number of DEFRA staff took more than two periods of sickness of fewer than five days in 2006-07 and 2007-08. Information for 2005-06 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			   Number  Percentage 
			 2006-07 834 14 
			 2007-08 821 21 
		
	
	The percentages are calculated from the number of staff in post at the beginning of the financial year, not the total number of staff employed over the financial year.

Departmental Sick Leave

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in his Department have had five or more periods of sickness absence of less than five days in two or more of the last five years.

Jonathan R Shaw: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Energy Efficiency: Low Incomes

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to help domestic consumers on low and middle incomes to improve the energy efficiency of their homes; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Government have announced a comprehensive Home Energy Saving Programme, worth £1 billion, to help domestic consumers cut their energy bills permanently.
	Further details can be found on the DEFRA website at:
	www.defra.gov.uk.

EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department has taken to increase the proportion of allowances auctioned under Phase II of the Emissions Trading Scheme to 10 per cent.; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The Government have given careful consideration to whether the level of auctioned allowances in the current phase of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme should be raised from the 7 per cent. set out in the UK's National Allocation Plan to the maximum 10 per cent. permitted under the Directive. They have concluded that it would be better to maintain certainty for business about the UK's previously published National Allocation Plan and not seek to reopen allocation issues consulted on and determined in 2006.
	As part of the Government's climate change strategy, we are aiming in the longer term to move towards more auctioning of allowances, and Budget 2008 announced the Government's intention to auction 100 per cent. of all allowances in the large electricity producers' sector.

Flood Control: Fees and Charges

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with OFWAT on the imposition of surface drainage charges on churches, schools and hospitals.

Phil Woolas: While my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State holds regular meetings with Ofwat to discuss a range of issues, there have been no discussions about this issue specifically.
	I have had a number of meetings with stakeholders but not with Ofwat.

Flood Control: Rural Areas

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures have been put in place to ensure that rural areas affected by floods in 2007 will receive resources and assistance to establish effective flood resilience.

Phil Woolas: The Government take a risk based approach to the management of flood risk, prioritising investments on the basis of the risk faced by the community and not whether it has recently experienced a flooding event. This is an approach which was supported by Sir Michael Pitt's independent review of the 2007 summer floods.
	DEFRA has been working continuously, in conjunction with other Government Departments and agencies, to reduce the risk of flooding throughout England.

Flood Control: Somerset

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much internal drainage boards in the Somerset Levels and Moors have spent on infrastructure projects for the maintenance and enhancement of sites of scientific interest and special protection areas since 1987.

Phil Woolas: DEFRA does not hold the information requested.

Flood Control: Somerset

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the risk of flooding in the Somerset Levels and Moors was assessed as  (a) in 1987 and  (b) at the latest date for which figures are available.

Phil Woolas: In 1987 there was no flood map information for the Somerset Levels and Moors and dependent urban areas.
	The Environment Agency has undertaken a number of flood management schemes since 1987 to improve flood risk on the Somerset Levels and Moors. This includes work undertaken in Bridgwater, where protection is currently to a 1:200 year event standard (tidal), and work undertaken at Taunton where the protection is approximately up to a 1:100 year event standard (fluvial).

Floods: River Derwent

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 465-70W, on floods: River Derwent, what progress has been made on hydraulic modelling for Derby; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: The hydraulic modelling is now complete. The public consultation for the Lower Derwent Strategy is planned to be launched on 10 September 2008 and will run for a period of three months.
	The Environment Agency has been working closely with Derby city council, which has used some of the information to develop a Strategic Flood Risk Assessment hydraulic model to help guide decision making. No further modelling is planned to inform the strategy.

Home Information Packs

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many home information packs have been commissioned by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies to market a residential property; for which properties; at what cost; and whether a voluntary home condition report was purchased as part of the packs.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department, including its executive agencies, has commissioned four home information packs in respect of surplus residential property disposal. Of the principal property holding non-departmental public bodies, only one information pack has been procured in connection with a the Forestry Commission disposal.
	In each case, on advice from our retained property advisors, home condition surveys were not purchased as part of the home information pack.
	The details on commissioning body, location and cost are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Home information packs procured by the Department, including executive agencies, and principal property holding non-departmental public bodies for surplus residential properties marketed by the Department and its significant property holding arms length bodies 
			  Property holding body  Property  Gross cost (£)  Home condition survey 
			 DEFRA 1 Sampsons Cottage Boxworth Cambridgeshire 293.75 No 
			 DEFRA 3 Sampsons Cottage, Boxworth, Cambridgeshire 264.38 No 
			 DEFRA 4 High Barns Cottages, Boxworth, Cambridgeshire 293.75 No 
			 DEFRA 11 Rosemaund Drive, Rosemaund, Worcestershire 351.33 No 
			 Forestry Commission 1 Forestry Houses, Dalton, Burton, Carnforth, Lancashire 339.99 No 
			  Source: DEFRA Estates Division

Morning Star

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many copies of the  Morning Star publication his Department and each of its agencies subscribes to each week; and at what cost.

Jonathan R Shaw: Neither DEFRA or its agencies subscribe to the  Morning Star.

Pets Travel Scheme

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many spot checks were carried out under the Pets Travel Scheme at ports of entry into the UK in each year since 2000; and in what proportion of such checks a problem was detected.

Jonathan R Shaw: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Rural Areas: Motor Vehicles

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will develop policies to assist rural motorists who have no alternative to car transport in areas where petrol prices are particularly high.

Jonathan R Shaw: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Exchequer Secretary on 1 September 2008,  Official Report, column 1478W.

Seas and Oceans: Nature Conservation

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what vessel monitoring systems data have been used in assessing the levels of fishing in proposed offshore Special Areas of Conservation sites; when that assessment took place; and if he will publish the data.

Jonathan R Shaw: As part of public consultation the Joint Nature Conservation Committee in their draft Conservation Objectives and Advice on Operations considered the levels of fishing in possible offshore SACs using VMS data from 2004 for England and Wales published in:
	Eastwood, P. D., Mills, C. M., Aldridge, J. N., Houghton, C. A., and Rogers, S. I. 2007. "Human activities in UK offshore waters: an assessment of direct, physical pressure on the seabed". ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64: 453-463

Seas and Oceans: Nature Conservation

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether steps to prevent fishing activity in offshore sites designated as being of UK importance must be taken under the auspices of the Common Fisheries Policy or under environmental legislation.

Jonathan R Shaw: In the offshore zone the European Commission has exclusive competence for fisheries management. Where a need is identified for controls to be placed on fisheries activities in order to protect an area, habitat or species of national importance, the UK will approach the Commission and other member states to seek adoption of appropriate measures through the common fisheries policy.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Adult Education: Yorkshire and the Humber

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many adults took part in publicly-financed education courses in  (a) Leeds West constituency,  (b) Leeds Metropolitan District and  (c) Yorkshire and Humberside in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: Our planned and continuing strategy is to realign funding from a high number of very short and low quality courses to qualifications such as Skills for Life, full level 2 and full level 3 that offer the greatest opportunity for adults to gain the skills for employability and further progression in learning. But we understand that as well as increasing skills, education is also about meeting the basic human desire for intellectual stimulation. That is why we have safeguarded £210 million each year through to 2010/11 to support informal adult learning. Through our recent consultation we have led discussion on a new vision for informal adult learning for the 21st century.
	The following table sets out the total number of LSC-funded adult learners aged 19 or over resident in Leeds, West constituency, Leeds metropolitan district and Yorkshire and Humberside from 2002/03. The figures cover learners enrolled in further education, work based learning and train to gain provision. These figures replace earlier information provided in response to PQ209210.
	
		
			  Number of LSC funded learners aged 19 or over 2002/03 to 2006/07 
			   2002/03  2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07 
			 Leeds West constituency 5,870 6,570 6,350 6,360 6,210 
			 Leeds metropolitan district 48,600 51,780 49,900 44,790 35,730 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 379,980 390,900 401,100 335,650 265,370 
			  Notes:  1. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10.  2. Includes learners in FE, work-based learning and train to gain provision, but excludes adult safeguarded learning due to the reliability of the data.  Source:  Learning and Skills Council Individualised Learner Record.

Departmental Postal Services

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department has taken to monitor the cost of its mail services in the last 12 months.

David Lammy: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) was established under machinery of government changes in June 2007 and currently monitors the cost of mail services according to the policies put in place by its predecessor Departments—the Department for Education and Skills (now the Department for Children, Schools and Families—DCSF) and Department for Trade and Industry (now the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform—BERR). DIUS is a relatively small volume sender of mail and sends second class unless there is a business need for first class delivery

Economic and Monetary Union

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills on what date the euro changeover plan of  (a) his Department and  (b) each of its agencies was last updated; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the most recent version of each.

David Lammy: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills was established under machinery of government changes in June 2007; it comprises higher and further education (from the former Department for Education and Skills, now the Department for Children Schools and Families-DCSF) and science and innovation (from the former Department for Trade and Industry, now the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform—BERR).
	To date, DIUS has been split between BERR and DCSF. DIUS therefore currently rely on the Euro changeover plan of BERR and DCSF. The DCSF Euro changeover plan is currently being reviewed and updated to take account of the machinery of government change in June 2007 and changes in the delivery of corporate systems over the next nine to 12 months. A copy of the completed document will be placed in the Library when this work is completed.
	DIUS agency, NWML provided information to the former DTI in October 2004 and this formed part of their Euro preparations, A more detailed plan was performed in March 2000 which formed part of HM Treasury Euro changeover plan.
	DIUS agency, UK-IPO last updated its Euro conversion plan in September 2004 and it formed part of the DTI overall plan. The plan has not been published, given the time that has lapsed, while the principles are still relevant the legislation, IT systems and costs referred to are significantly out of date and publication would be of trifle value.
	With the advent of a shared service arrangement, a single system will be in place.

Higher Education: Admissions

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what estimate he has made of the proportion of 16 year olds who achieved five GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and mathematics who did not apply to university within two years of receiving their results in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: Comprehensive information on university applications including GCSE attainment is not available.
	Information is available, from matched administrative datasets, about those who have entered HE courses. Around 41 per cent. of those in maintained schools achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C including English and mathematics at age 15 to 16 in 2001/02 did not enter a higher level course in a UK Higher Education Institution at age 18 in 2004/05 nor at age 19 in 2005/06. Around 2 per cent. entered higher level courses at English Further Education Colleges in the same years.

Lip Reading: Education

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what proportion of lip-reading classes were provided free to learners in each year since 2004-05; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: In 2004-05, 473 adult learners undertook a further education (FE) lip-reading course funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). 81 per cent. of these learners paid no fee due either to national policy or by having their fees waived at the discretion of the provider.
	Information on the number of lip-reading learners receiving fee remission for 2005-06 and 2006-07 is not available centrally. I have therefore asked Mark Haysom, Chief Executive of the Learning and Skills Council to write with this information. A copy of his reply will be placed in the House Library.
	Full fee remission is provided to learners on LSC funded FE courses where they are in receipt of income based benefits or are studying on a Skills for Life, full level 2 or full level 3 course (if they are aged 19-25). In addition to this some FE colleges and providers can use their discretion to waive fees. They may choose to do so where a learner is undertaking a lip-reading course and has declared themselves as having a learning difficulty and/or disabilities for example where a learner is hearing impaired.

HEALTH

Alcoholic Drinks: Health Education

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targeted information and advice his Department has given to people who drink at harmful levels, as referred to in paragraph 2.36 of his Department's Cancer Reform Strategy.

Dawn Primarolo: "Safe.Sensible.Social.—The next steps in the National Alcohol Strategy" committed the Government to developing a range of new kinds of information and advice targeting people whose drinking places them at harmful levels, and their families/friends, from August 2008 onwards.
	Since September 2006 a social marketing programme has been under way to meet this commitment and research has been undertaken to understand what motivates those drinking at increasing or higher risk levels and how their behaviour can be influenced. Key outputs of this programme formed part of the Units campaign launch in May 2008, including:
	Reframing public-facing language on levels of drinking from "sensible", "hazardous" and "harmful" to the risk-based "lower", "increasing" and "higher";
	Promoting delivery of "Identification and Brief Advice" (IBA) through front-line services including the provision of materials and support to general practitioners (GPs), such as a surgery wall-chart, fact sheets and fact cards to hand out to patients. From September 2008 an E-leaming module on delivering IBA will be available for GPs and other primary care staff;
	Launching DrinkCheck at nhs.uk/units where users are able to calculate what level of risk their drinking places them in and if necessary signpost them to information either on-line, by post or through the telephone helpline;
	Publishing a printed self-help manual "Your drinking and you", available by post or download, which has been designed by alcohol health specialists to help people reduce their drinking. Approximately 2,000 copies have been ordered to date via DrinkCheck and the telephone helpline, even though the Units campaign did not include any call to action. We are expecting this to be boosted further by the national launch of print advertising focusing on health consequences between mid-July-August; and
	Expanding the Drinkline telephone helpline to provide advice to drinkers and signpost them to the self-help material.
	We are now ready to move on to the next, direct marketing phase, which will help us to begin "acquiring" drinkers to receive the "Your drinking and you" booklet and agree to participate in follow up research and testing.
	This next "acquisition phase" is designed to drive responses to the website, helpline or to order the self-help booklet directly and is similar in structure to the smoking campaign which has a direct response campaign running alongside a more general awareness campaign.
	The first phase of the campaign will be tested in the North West of England, which has the greatest concentration of our target group of higher risk drinkers, and will be rolled out from the beginning of September.

Drugs: Finance

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Pooled Drug Treatment budget for England was in  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05,  (c) 2005-06,  (d) 2006-07 and  (e) 2007-08.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer to the hon. and learned Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Hornchurch (James Brokenshire) on 18 March 2008,  Official Report, columns 997-98W.

Eculizumab

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to refer the use of Eculizumab to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for assessment.

Dawn Primarolo: There are no plans for Ministers to refer the use of Eculizumab to treat the condition Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence for appraisal.

Health Centres

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many additional  (a) GPs and  (b) other staff, broken down by type of staff, he estimates will be required to staff the new GP-led health centres.

Ben Bradshaw: The exact staffing levels at each general practitioner-led health centre will vary depending on the range and extent of additional services each centre provides, to reflect local health needs.

Health Professions: Pay

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to require the strategic health authorities to reinstate the practice of awarding return to practice bursaries for midwifery, radiography and healthcare science.

Ben Bradshaw: Strategic health authorities are responsible for allocating resources from education and training funding to support local initiatives such as return to practice programmes for professional staff. The Department is providing support and funding to strategic health authorities for a programme of work, to deliver expansion in midwifery capacity, as I announced in February. This includes supporting midwives through return to practice, where this is part of the local recruitment programme.

Health Services: Finance

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice he has received on the appropriateness of the incremental cost effectiveness ratio; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The methodology used by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to calculate a technology's incremental cost effectiveness ratio is determined by NICE itself. NICE publishes details of its appraisal methodology in its "Guide to Methods of Technology Appraisal". NICE last updated this document in June 2008 following a public consultation, and the current version is available on NICE'S website at:
	www.nice.org.uk/media/B52/A7/TAMethodsGuideUpdated June2008.pdf

Hospitals: Parking

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will bring forward proposals to abolish car parking charges at hospitals in England.

Ben Bradshaw: There are no plans to abolish car parking charges at hospitals in England. These charges are decided locally by individual trusts to help cover the cost of running and maintaining a car park. If no charges were made for car parking then these funds would have to be found from elsewhere within that trust's budget, thereby reducing the amount of funds available for patient care.
	All trusts should have exemption and concessionary schemes in place to ensure that patients and carers who visit hospital regularly are not disadvantaged. They should also have sustainable public transport plans in place for staff and visitors.

Hypothermia: Elderly

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he plans to take to assist elderly people to avoid hypothermia during winter months.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department runs an annual Keep Warm Keep Well (KWKW) campaign to reduce the harm to health associated by cold weather, including preventing hypothermia in elderly people. This year, the KWKW campaign has piloted and developed materials that specifically target high-risk groups, and includes a booklet designed for elderly people. This includes information on how to ensure elderly people are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to, how to access grants to help keep their homes warmer and advice about how to keep warm and reduce the risk to health during a cold period. This booklet will be distributed to a wide range of venues that elderly people frequent, including general practitioner surgeries and pharmacies. Last year over two million copies were distributed.
	Additionally, the Department is working closely with Warmfront to ensure better targeting of older people with information to access grants to improve insulation and heating and to maximise benefits that they are entitled to.

Independent Reconfiguration Panel

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding his Department has given to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel in each of the last five years.

Ben Bradshaw: Independent Reconfiguration Panel expenditure is not separately identified within departmental costs.

Independent Reconfiguration Panel

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the percentage of his decisions on healthcare reconfiguration that have  (a) reflected and  (b) rejected the view of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: There have been no occasions where the Secretary of State has chosen to reject the Independent Reconfiguration Panel's recommendations.

Members: Correspondence

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue a direction to the transport co-ordinator of the South West Thames Retrieval Service to reply to the letters sent to her by the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling on  (a) 19 May and  (b) 1 August 2008 on the death of a child in his constituency.

Ben Bradshaw: We are sorry to learn of the death of the child of the right hon. Member's constituents, and we offer our condolences to the family. The South Thames Retrieval Service is provided by Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, and this is therefore a matter for the Foundation Trust. We have written to Patricia Moberly, chair of Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, informing her of the right hon. Member's inquiry. She will reply shortly, and a copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

NHS: Dental Services

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists per head of population there were in  (a) Torbay and  (b) England at the latest date for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: The number of dentists with national health service activity in England, per 100,000 population, during the year ending 31 March 2008 is available in Table G1 of Annex 3 of the NHS Dental Statistics for England: 2007-08 report. Information is available by primary care trust and strategic health authority. This is the latest information available.
	This report, published on 21 August 2008 by the NHS Information Centre for health and social care, has already been placed in the Library and is also on the NHS Information Centre website at:
	www.ic.nhs.uk/pubs/dental0708

NHS: Personnel

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the extent to which NHS trusts employ staff on short term contracts who have left other NHS employers with substantial severance packages; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Information relating to individual contracts of employment is not collected centrally.
	The Department would expect NHS employers to adhere to relevant employment law and departmental guidance and to follow good human resources practice when dealing with contracts of employment.

Pharmacy: Rural Areas

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are being used in reviewing the operation of dispensaries in doctors' surgeries in rural areas; and what safeguards are being put in place for the access of the elderly and vulnerable to such dispensing services.

Dawn Primarolo: The factors for consideration are set out in the consultation paper, "Pharmacy in England: Building on strengths—delivering the future—proposals for legislative change", published on 27 August 2008. The consultation has been placed in the Library and is available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_087324
	As part of this consultation, we have put forward a range of options, including doing nothing in respect of general practitioner dispensing arrangements, on which we are seeking views. The impact assessments, which have been published as part of the consultation, consider the likely effects of each of the options available.

Tobacco

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what consideration is being given to the role of track and trace systems for tobacco products in the current consultation on the future of tobacco controls; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department's consultation on the future of tobacco control closed for responses on 8 September 2008. Responses received are now under consideration.

TRANSPORT

Bus Services: Finance

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sources of public funding bus operators can access to support their provision of services; and against what criteria applications for payments from such sources are determined.

Rosie Winterton: All operators of local bus services are eligible to receive Bus Service Operators Grant from my Department. The main criterion, other than being a local service, is that the service is one which is normally available to, and regularly used by, members of the general public.
	Bus operators are reimbursed by local authorities for provision of mandatory free travel on local buses for those aged 60 or over and disabled people.
	Local authorities have powers to provide financial support for the provision of a bus service where transport needs would not otherwise be met. The criteria for deciding which services should be supported are a matter for the local authority concerned.

Departmental Cleaning Services

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which contractors her Department uses to undertake cleaning duties; and what the hourly rates of pay are for cleaners working in the Department.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 10 September 2008
	The requested information is provided in the following table:
	
		
			   Contractor  Hourly rate 
			 DfT Central—London HQ Operon (1)— 
			
			 DfT Central—Air Accident Investigation Branch Network Cleaning Services (2)— 
			
			 DfT Central—Marine Accident Investigation Branch Alistair Donaldson & Co (2)— 
			
			 DfT Central—Rail Accident Investigation Branch Clean Slate (UK) Ltd. (2)— 
			  ClientCare Cleaning Ltd. (2)— 
			
			 Driving Standards Agency—Axis Building, Nottingham Sodexo £7.50 (supervisor) 
			   £5.85 (cleaner) 
			
			 Driving Standards Agency—Cardington Centre, Bedford Sodexo £8.97 (supervisor) 
			   £6.40 (cleaner) 
			
			 Driving Standards Agency—Eastgate House, Newcastle Consultant Cleaners £8.11 (supervisor) 
			   £5.73 (cleaner) 
			
			 Driving Standards Agency—Regional Test Centres (3)— (3)— 
			
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) DVLA entered into a private finance initiative contract with Land Securities Trillium (LST) in 2005 for the provision of cleaning and a wide range of facilities managed services. LST work with three cleaning service partners across the DVLA portfolio and these are: OCS—One Complete Solution; MITIE Managed Services; and ISS (1)— 
			
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency Lancaster Office Cleaning £6.00 
			 Highways Agency Strand Cleaning (1)— 
			  OCS  
			  ICM  
			  Shield Service Group  
			  Wrightway Office Cleaners  
			  Associated Cleaning Contractors  
			  Initial  
			
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency (3)— (3)— 
			
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (3)— (3)— 
			
			 Vehicle Certification Agency ISS/Medicare Ltd. (2)— 
			 (1) The information requested is commercially confidential.  (2) Service is contracted out.  (3) The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Motor Vehicles

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the  (a) cost and  (b) quantity of fuel used by her Department's road vehicles was in the last 12 months.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 10 September 2008
	The requested information where available is as follows:
	
		
			   Cost (£)  Quantity (litres) 
			 DfT Central—London HQ(1) — — 
			 DfT Central—Air Accidents Investigation Branch(2) 11,450 9,954 
			 DfT Central—Marine Accident Investigation Branch(3) 1,530 1,321 
			 DfT Central—Rail Accident Investigation Branch(3) 1,511 1,461 
			 Driving Standards Agency(4) 274,286 (5)272,000 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (6)— (6)— 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency(3) 957,633 812,063 
			 Highways Agency—Traffic Officer Fleet 2,585,308 2,273,599 
			 Highways Agency—Winter Service Vehicles (6)— (5)918,000 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency (6)— (6)— 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency(3) 401,636 (6)— 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency (6)— (6)— 
			 (1) Included within Government Car and Despatch Agency. (2) Includes fuel purchased for hire cars, used when all Air Accidents Investigation Branch vehicles are committed. Hire cars were used heavily during late January and February this year during the major Heathrow accident. (3) Data relate to financial year 2007-08. (4) This includes fuel purchased using company fuel cards and hire car refills. Fuel purchased through employees' travel and subsistence claims cannot be identified separately. The Driving Standards Agency fleet of vehicles is comprised of cars, motorcycles, PCVs and LGVs. (5) Per annum estimate. (6) The information requested can only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Heavy Goods Vehicles

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many offences of vehicle overloading by  (a) overseas and  (b) UK hauliers have been detected by weigh in motion sensors each quarter since their initial deployment.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 10 September 2008
	The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) does not record the total number of overloading offences by overseas or UK hauliers detected by Weigh In Motion Sensors (WIMS). A new system is being investigated to enable VOSA to record this information nationally in future.
	However, the following prohibition figures are from sites since WIMS has been installed and while they have been manned by enforcement officers:
	
		
			  Location:  Dartford tunnel approach A282 Dartford Kent 
			  Financial year  Nationality  Weighed  Weighing prohibitions  Prohibition rate (percentage) 
			 Q1 2008-09 Non UK 0 0 0.00 
			  UK 2 2 100.00 
			 Q2 2008-09 Non UK 9 6 66.67 
			  UK 56 42 75.00 
			  
			 Grand total  67 50 74.63 
		
	
	
		
			  Location:  Portsmouth docks dynamic WB M275/A3 Portsmouth Hampshire 
			  Financial year  Nationality  Weighed  Weighting prohibitions  Prohibition rate (percentage) 
			 2006-07 Non UK 271 253 93.36 
			  UK 90 87 96.67 
			  
			 2007-08 Non UK 193 190 98.45 
			  UK 47 44 93.62 
			  
			 2008-09 to date Non UK 63 63 100.00 
			  UK 10 9 90.00 
			  
			 Grand total  674 646 95.85 
		
	
	
		
			  Location:  J9 M25 Leatherhead Weighbridge A243 Leatherhead Surrey 
			  Financial year  Nationality  Weighed  Weighing prohibitions  Prohibition rate (percentage) 
			 2007-08 Non UK 1,003 623 62.11 
			  UK 487 311 63.86 
			  
			 2008-09 to date Non UK 1,778 323 18,17 
			  UK 333 134 40.24 
			  
			 Grand total  3,601 1,391 38.63 
		
	
	
		
			  Location:  Perry Barr Weighbridge M6 Birmingham West Midlands 
			  Financial year  Nationality  Weighed  Weighing prohibitions  Prohibition rate (percentage) 
			 2006-07 Non UK 181 127 70.17 
			  UK 413 260 62.95 
			  
			 2007-08 Non UK 526 324 61.60 
			  UK 1,201 757 63.03 
			  
			 2008-09 to date Non UK 192 69 35.94 
			  UK 308 144 46.75 
			  
			 Grand total  2,821 1,681 59.59

Official Cars: Exhaust Emissions

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the Government's fleet of ministerial cars; and what steps she plans to take in the future.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government Car and Despatch Agency is responsible for providing ministerial cars. Each year since 2005-06, the Agency have been set a target to reduce the average tailpipe emissions of CO2 from its fleet. In April 2005, the ministerial fleet average was 204.92 grams per kilometre (g/km). In March 2008, the fleet average was 145.2 g/km, a reduction of over 29 per cent. The Agency is exploring ways of getting the whole of the ministerial fleet to an average of 130 g/km in line with the Government's target for the whole Government fleet of 130 g/km by 2012.

Official Cars: Taxation

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the ministerial car fleet is subject to the standard road tax regime.

Jim Fitzpatrick: In line with all other Crown vehicles, the entire fleet of vehicles operated by the Government Car and Despatch Agency is exempt from paying vehicle and excise duty.

Public Transport: Access

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the accessibility of public transport to people with macular degeneration; what steps her Department is taking to improve such accessibility; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 contains provisions which allow for regulations to be made setting out how the accessibility needs of disabled people must be met. This includes the needs of visually impaired people, such as those with macular degeneration.
	The Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 were introduced under powers granted to Government under part 5 of the DDA 1995. From 31 December 2000, the regulations have required that new full size buses used on scheduled or local services be accessible to disabled people. The regulations include facilities such as visual contrast on step edges for the visually impaired.
	The Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations came into force on 1 November 1998 and applied to all new rail vehicles entering service after 31 December 1998. The regulations specify features including audible destination announcements, audible door closure warnings and control buttons identifiable by touch.

Railways: Contracts

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will place in the Library a copy of the response by Passenger Focus to her Department's South Central Franchise Consultation document of May 2008.

Rosie Winterton: Copies of the Passenger Focus response to the South Central Franchise Consultation document have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Railways: Electrification

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the cost of electrifying one mile of railway.

Rosie Winterton: The cost of electrifying the railway network is currently estimated at around £800,000 per single track mile (£500,000 per single track kilometre) dependent on the complexity and constraints of the particular line.

Roads

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment her Department has made of the likely effects of using lane space for  (a) hard shoulder running,  (b) car share lanes and  (c) tolled lanes.

Rosie Winterton: In March, a report was made to the Secretary of State on the feasibility, costs and benefits of extending advanced signalling and traffic management techniques more widely across the motorway network. This looked at hard shoulder running and also considered the potential that a more managed motorway environment would offer for other traffic management approaches, for example car share lanes and tolled lanes. Car share and tolled lanes have worked well in other countries and we are exploring how well they could work on our motorways.
	The Feasibility Study can be found on the Department for Transport's website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/network/policy/mtorsign trafmanagement/.
	Following that the Secretary of State commissioned a more detailed study to appraise the various options for managing our motorways more effectively in locations identified across the network. This work is due to be complete by the end of the year.

Roads: Litter

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much was spent by the Highways Agency on litter collection from land for which it is the responsible authority in each of the last 10 years.

Rosie Winterton: Section 89 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 places a duty on the Highways Agency to remove litter from motorways in England. Responsibility for removing litter from the all purpose trunk road network, with the exception of DBFO managed roads, lies with local authorities.
	Litter collection on motorways is one of the numerous duties carried out as part of the Highway's Agency's routine maintenance function and costs for individual activities are not recorded separately. It is therefore not possible to provide costs for litter collection.

Roads: Tolls

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations she has received on the proposed congestion charge in the Greater Manchester area from organisations and residents  (a) in Bolton,  (b) in Greater Manchester and  (c) elsewhere.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 10 September 2008
	Greater Manchester's Transport Innovation Fund bid has been discussed in a number of meetings at which Ministers and officials of the Department for Transport have been present. We have also received correspondence on the subject from individuals and organisations within and outside Greater Manchester.

Speed Limits: Cameras

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions her Department has had with the Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership on proposals to introduce unmarked speed cameras.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department understands that Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership has recently used an unmarked vehicle to deploy mobile speed camera enforcement to target speeding motorcyclists. The county has suffered from a high number of motorcyclists being killed and seriously injured, currently accounting for 30 per cent. of all people killed and seriously injured on the roads. The unmarked vehicle is used on some of Derbyshire's most dangerous roads and is one of the many tools the partnership use to try to reduce motorcycle casualties. Initial feedback suggests that there has been a considerable reduction in speeding as a result of this covert enforcement.
	Since 1 April 2007, the deployment of safety cameras has been the responsibility of individual local partnerships. The Department's guidance provides best practice advice on the deployment of speed cameras and recommends highly visible enforcement. However, the guidance explicitly states that it does not restrict or fetter the police's discretion to enforce the speed limit covertly anywhere, at any time. A similar statement was previously included in the Handbook of Rules and Guidance for the National Safety Camera Programme for England and Wales.

Stations: Greater London

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if her Department will make an assessment of the effects on  (a) the local community and  (b) regeneration in the King's Cross area of Network Rail's plans to close permanently pedestrian access routes to King's Cross and St Pancras rail stations from the north-east of the station complex; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Network Rail applied for and received planning consent from the local planning authority (London borough of Camden) for the redevelopment of King's Cross station. Consultation was undertaken as part of this process, which resulted in Network Rail commissioning a study to consider ways to maintain access to the station from York Way. Network Rail has advised me that the study concluded that from an operational safety perspective the access to York Way in this location could not be maintained.

Trains: York

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many times trains have been forced to wait for platform availability at York station in each of the last 52 weeks; what steps she is taking to provide more platform capacity at York station; and what steps she is taking to provide more car parking capacity at York station.

Rosie Winterton: Platform availability is an operational matter for Network Rail as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The right hon. Member should contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for a response to his question:
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	Kings Place
	90 York Way
	London
	N1 9AG
	The Government and the rail industry are committed to improving the performance of the railways and have developed the concept of the Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) to examine the appropriateness of train services and railway infrastructure to meet current and forecast demand. RUSs seek to balance capacity (including station capacity), passenger and freight demand, operational performance and cost, to address the requirements of funders and stakeholders. The East Coast Main Line RUS, published by Network Rail in February 2008, examined capacity at York station. It identified the need for improvements to the track layout at the southern end of the station. This proposal is being taken into account by the Office of Rail Regulation in its consideration of Network Rail's funding for the period 2009-14.
	National Express East Coast is working with the Department for Transport to fulfil its obligation to provide additional car parking spaces at York station.

Transport: Exhaust Emissions

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the volume of carbon dioxide emissions from  (a) road transport and  (b) domestic aviation in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (NAEI) compiles estimates of emissions to the atmosphere from UK sources. The most recent NAEI data published by DEFRA can be found at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/globatmos/download/xls/gatb04.xls
	The following table contains the estimates of carbon dioxide emissions from road transport and domestic aviation for each year from 1997 until 2006 which is the latest year for which official figures have been published.
	
		
			  Mt C O 2 
			   Road transport  Domestic aviation 
			 1997 116.6 1.4 
			 1998 115.9 1.5 
			 1999 116.8 1.7 
			 2000 116.0 1.9 
			 2001 116.0 2.0 
			 2002 118.4 2.0 
			 2003 118.2 2.1 
			 2004 119.4 2.2 
			 2005 119.9 2.4 
			 2006 120.3 2.3

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Carbon Emissions

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps his Department plans to take to  (a) measure and  (b) offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by producing departmental documents.

Kevin Brennan: The Department does not currently measure or offset the carbon dioxide emissions caused by producing departmental documents across the Department, although it does offset carbon dioxide emissions from air travel. Some contracts have their own arrangements for carbon offsetting, e.g. documents produced in relation to the sustainable schools strategy.
	The Department has always encouraged adoption of sustainable practices through its print and publications supply chains, for example using recycled paper and, where possible, environmentally friendly alternative products. However, the Department's new, broader, Publication, Production, Management and Delivery tender includes requirements to be measured against the Department's Sustainable Development Action Plan (SDAP) in its specification. This will rate suppliers' impacts against the SDAP, and provide measurements against it, specifically by encouraging greater use of e channels; encouraging supply chains to implement low carbon emission printing equipment; and minimising unnecessary transportation of materials through the supply chain. The tender will be completed next year and operational around early summer 2009.

Children in Care: Health

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families in what ways he expects revised statutory guidance on looked-after children to affect the provision of healthcare assessments and reviews.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 10 September 2008
	The existing guidance on promoting the health of looked- after children published in 2002 sets out what health assessments should cover and the nature of the services which should be provided to meet the child's physical, emotional and mental health needs. The guidance is statutory for local authorities but not on health bodies. Revised guidance will be on a statutory footing for primary care trusts, strategic health authorities, NHS trusts, and NHS foundation trusts as well as local authorities. This will ensure the importance of the active co-operation of health services in the health assessments of looked-after children under the general duty in section 10 of the Children Act 2004, which requires primary care trusts and strategic health authorities to co-operate with local authorities and other agencies to improve the well-being of children in their area.

Children in Care: Health

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the likely effects of new joint strategic needs assessments on the health and well-being of looked-after children; and what steps his Department plans to take to monitor those effects.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 10 September 2008
	All local authorities, from 1 April 2008, are required to produce a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA). This is the means by which primary care trusts (PCTs) and local authorities identify future health and well-being needs of local populations, including looked-after children, to inform the priorities and targets of Local Area Agreements and local commissioning priorities.
	Improvements in the health of looked-after children will be monitored through existing data collections, in particular, the new indicator on the emotional health of looked-after children and through the Ofsted led programme of inspection of services and outcomes for looked-after children.

Children: Databases

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he plans to issue revised guidance on the implementation of sections 10 and 11 of the Children Act 2004; what plans he has to provide funding for implementation of such guidance; and what steps his Department will take to monitor health agencies' compliance with such guidance.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 10 September 2008
	As set out in the Children's Plan launched by the Secretary of State in December 2007, the Government are committed to publishing revised statutory guidance under Section 10 of the Children Act 2004 on inter-agency co-operation to improve the well-being of children, young people and families later this year. A revised version of the statutory guidance under Section 11 on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, originally issued in 2005, was published in April 2007. The Government have no plans to issue further revised guidance at this stage.
	The Government have no plans to provide specific additional funding for implementing these guidance documents, which are intended to clarify the statutory responsibilities of local authorities and other bodies, including health agencies, for which they receive mainstream funding. The Government have however commissioned an audit of the extent to which public organisations have been complying with their duties under Section 11. The results of the survey will be made public in spring 2009.
	From April 2009, the performance of local authorities and their partners will be assessed under the new, multi-inspectorate Comprehensive Area Assessment (CAA). This will focus on the delivery of key outcomes in an area, and the contribution of statutory and non-statutory partners, including health agencies, will be in scope. Inspectorates are currently consulting on CAA, and intend to publish their framework in February 2009.

Children: Disabled

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has for funding for disabled children in schools in the next three years.

Kevin Brennan: holding answer 10 September 2008
	Local authorities are responsible for the distribution of funding (including funding provided through the dedicated schools grant (DSG)) to schools in their area. Each local authority in consultation with their schools forum has a funding formula that they have designed and agreed to cater for the needs of their own area including children with disabilities. Local authorities planned expenditure on special educational needs—which includes but is not limited to disabled children—has increased by over £2.3 billion from £2.8 billion in 2000-01 to £5.1 billion in 2008-09. This represents a cash terms increase of 84 per cent. between the 2000-01 and the 2008-09 financial years.
	The local authority is best placed to meet the need of its schools in their area and to work with schools to ensure that resources are applied and managed effectively to deliver the highest possible standards of education.
	The Schools Access Initiative has £288 million over the three years 2008-11 (£96 million per year) as capital funding to assist local authorities in making schools accessible to disabled pupils and those with SEN.
	The DCSF has committed £430 million in this CSR period through the joint DCSF—Department of Health "Aiming High for Disabled Children" programme to support transformation of services for disabled children, young people and their families. This will focus on improvements to services such as short breaks, transition to adulthood, accessible child care and support for parental engagement.

Children's Centres: Parents

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of Sure Start Children's Centres run positive parenting programmes.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 10 September 2008
	All Sure Start Children's Centres are expected to offer parenting and family support services, including parenting programmes, based on consultation with families and identified local need. Information on exactly which services are provided in each Sure Start Children's Centre is not collected centrally.

Departmental Conferences

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will list the conferences hosted by his Department in each of the last two years; and what the cost was of each conference.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Equality

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will take steps to establish a strategy to tackle age discrimination and promote age equality in the provision of goods and services  (a) by his Department and  (b) within the sectors for which he has policy responsibility; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: The Department is committed to ensuring that children of all ages and stages of development receive the appropriate education and services. The Government recently published their response to the consultation on the proposals for the Equality Bill, "A Framework for Fairness". The response made clear that, after careful consideration, it has been decided not to extend legal protection from age discrimination to children. This is because a child's age is closely related to his or her levels of development and need, something which is not generally true of an adult's age. Children need to be treated in ways that are appropriate to their different ages, and age-related treatment of children in schools and in the delivery of children's services is not the same as age discrimination.

Head Teachers: Stress

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many head teachers have left their post as a result of a stress-related illness in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Personal Records: ContractPoint Database

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether police forces will have access to the ContactPoint database; and if he will make a statement.

Kevin Brennan: Members of police forces and authorities in England are named in The Children Act 2004 (Information Database) England Regulations 2007 as one of the groups of people who may be given access to the database by a local authority.
	Youth justice services are an important part of the support provided to children and young people. Access to ContactPoint will help to inform their decisions about the most appropriate way to support a child and ensure that work is not duplicated.
	Access will be granted only to those individuals who need to use it as part of their work supporting children and young people. For police forces this will include those who regularly work with young people in areas such as victim units, domestic violence, safeguarding, child abuse investigation, and youth offending teams. All users will have been through mandatory training and security clearance before being granted access to ContactPoint.
	ContactPoint will hold basic information only. It will not hold details of arrest or criminal activity; it will not provide a record of whether or not a child or a member of their family is an offender; and it will not hold subjective observations or case information.
	In addition to supporting children's services, the regulations permit the Secretary of State or a local authority to disclose data held on ContactPoint in very limited, prescribed circumstances, including where:
	disclosure is required by court order or by law; or
	disclosure is required for the purposes of:
	the prevention or detection of crime or
	the prosecution of offenders
	an investigation under section 47 of the Children Act 1989
	a local safeguarding children board in exercising its functions under 5(1)(e) of the local safeguarding children board regulations 2006.
	For these purposes, police would have to make a special request, on a case by case basis, directly to the Secretary of State or local authority and make a clear and exceptional case for disclosure. The Secretary of State or local authority will then consider each case on its merits when deciding whether to disclose the data.

Schools: Finance

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the real change in spending per school child has been  (a) since 1997,  (b) in the last 10 years and  (c) in the last five years (i) in Waltham Forest, (ii) in Redbridge and (iii) nationally.

Jim Knight: The available information on spending per school child since 1997-98 to 2006-07 is contained within the following tables:
	
		
			  School based expenditure( 1, 2, 3 ) per pupil( 4)  in cash terms since 1997-98 
			   £ per pupil in cash terms( 5) 
			   1997-98( 6)  1998-99( 6)  1999-2000( 2,7)  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03( 2,3,8)  2003-04  2004-5  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Redbridge 2,260 2,320 2,530 2,780 3,230 3,080 3,340 3,530 3,790 4,030 
			 Waltham Forest 2,510 2,580 2,970 3,130 3,740 3,590 3,940 4,100 4,360 4,610 
			 England 2,080 2,190 2,390 2,620 2,940 2,950 3,230 3,450 3,720 3,960 
		
	
	
		
			  School based expenditure( 1, 2, 3 ) per pupil( 4)  in real terms since 1997-98 
			   £ per pupil in real terms( 5) 
			   1997-98( 6)  1998-99( 6)  1999-2000( 2,7)  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03( 2,3,8)  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Redbridge 2,890 2,900 3,090 3,350 3,810 3,510 3,710 3,810 4,010 4,150 
			 Waltham Forest 3,210 3,220 3,630 3,780 4,410 4,100 4,370 4,420 4,610 4,740 
			 England 2.650 2,740 2,920 3,160 3,460 3,370 3,580 3,730 3,930 4,070 
			 (1) School based expenditure includes only expenditure incurred directly by the schools. This includes the pay of teachers and school-based support staff, school premises costs, books and equipment, and certain other supplies and services, less any capital items funded from recurrent spending and income from sales, fees and charges and rents and rates. This excludes the central cost of support services such as home to school transport, local authority administration and the financing of capital expenditure. (2) 1999-2000 saw a change in data source when the data collection moved from the R01 form collected by the ODPM to the Section 52 form from the DCSF (formally) DFES. 2002-03 saw a further break in the time series following the introduction of Consistent Financial Reporting (CFR) to schools and the associated restructuring of the outturn tables. The change in sources is shown by the dotted line. Comparable figures are not available prior to 1992-93. (3). The calculation for 2002-03 onwards is broadly similar to the calculation in previous years. However, 2001-02 and earlier years includes all premature retirement compensation (PRC) and Crombie payments, mandatory PRC payments and other indirect employee expenses. In 2001-02 this accounted for approximately £70 per pupil. From 2002-03 onwards only the schools element of these categories is included and this accounted for approximately £50 per pupil of the 2002-03 total. Also, for some LAs, expenditure that had previously been attributed to the school sectors was reported within the LA part of the form from 2002-03, though this is not quantifiable from existing sources. (4) Pupil numbers include only those pupils attending maintained establishments within each sector and are drawn from the DCSF (formally DfES) Annual Schools Census adjusted to be on a financial year basis. (5) Figures are as reported by local authorities as at 9th September 2008 and are rounded to the nearest £10. (6) Spending in 1997-98 reflects the transfer of monies from local government to central government for the nursery vouchers scheme. These were returned to local government from 1998-99. (7) The 1999-00 figures reflect the return of GM schools to local authority maintenance. (8) School based expenditure in nursery schools was not recorded in 2002-03 and are therefore not included in the figures for that year.  Note: Expenditure was not distinguished between the pre-primary and primary sectors until the inception of Section 52 for financial year 1999-2000.

Schools: Inspections

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what estimate he has made of the number of head teachers who have left their post within six months of the completion of an Ofsted inspection of their school in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: The information is not collected centrally.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Biometrics: Fingerprints

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the capability of external suppliers to provide for the secure collection of fingerprint biometrics; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: The Identity and Passport Service has appointed five suppliers to act as the 'Strategic Supplier Group' for the National Identity Scheme. This group (CSC, EDS, IBM, Fujitsu and Thales) signed framework agreements with IPS in June 2008 and will compete in procurement exercises for contracts to deliver National Identity Scheme capabilities.
	As part of the framework procurement assessments were made of each firm's capability and capacity in a number of areas related to the scheme including those related to biometrics. As part of the process for awarding specific contracts assessments will be made of the proposed approaches and technology. In addition all technology deployed will be subject to thorough and robust testing and trialling prior to deployment.

Closed Circuit Television: Bolton

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much public funding has been spent on CCTV security cameras in Bolton North East since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: Bolton metropolitan borough council (information is not available on a constituency-by-constituency basis) received a total of £729,441 as part of the Home Office Crime and Disorder Reduction Programme, between 1997 and 2003. No other central Government funding for CCTV has been provided since then.

Criminal Records: International Cooperation

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the discussions between the Criminal Records Bureau and the Association of Chief Police Officers on seeking access to  (a) European Union and  (b) other foreign criminal conviction data to produce an outcome; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: The Criminal Records Bureau contacted all member states in 2007 to establish whether there was an opportunity to enter into agreements to exchange data for employment vetting purposes where national laws allowed. To date there have been positive responses from some member states—the Republic of Ireland, France, Estonia and Poland. Australia has also indicated a willingness to share information.
	A Home Office chaired Steering Group has been established to oversee this project and representatives include the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Criminal Records Bureau.
	Even when another jurisdiction is willing to exchange such information, detailed work will still be needed with each overseas jurisdiction on a range of issues, including any legislative and data protection considerations in each country, forming an understanding of offence descriptions which may differ from those used in UK jurisdictions and establishing exchange arrangements where criminal records data are not held centrally in the overseas jurisdiction, or are not held electronically.

Essex Police Authority: Data Protection

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people employed by Essex Police Authority of each grade have  (a) partial and  (b) full access to data held by her Department; what guidance her Department issues to persons seeking access to this data; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Eight people employed by the Essex police authority have regular partial access to data held by the Home Office for performance management purposes. The access to those data is subject to terms and conditions of use. More general ad-hoc access to data would be subject to the Home Office Information Charter.

Genetics: Databases

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her latest estimate is of the number of DNA samples taken and loaded onto the national DNA database since the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 came into force, which would not previously have been taken; and if she will make a statement.

Meg Hillier: Before 2001, the police could take DNA samples from anyone charged but had to destroy them (and the profiles on the DNA database derived from them) if charges were dropped or the person was found not guilty. The Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 changed this so that DNA could be kept from those who had been charged even if they were acquitted. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 (which came into force in 2004) extended the power further so that DNA could be kept from anyone arrested for a recordable offence and held in a police station.
	This question therefore relates to the number of people with a record on the national DNA database now, who would not have had a record retained permanently on it under pre-2001 legislation, because they had not been convicted.
	It is not possible to say how many people on the NDNAD have not been convicted. This is because the NDNAD itself does not contain any information about criminal records, as this is not necessary for its function of matching DNA from crime scenes with DNA from individuals. To determine whether someone on the NDNAD has been convicted, it is necessary to refer to their record on the police national computer (PNC) which holds criminal record information.
	However, before the introduction of the ACPO Criminal Record Retention Guidelines in April 2006, police forces deleted PNC records from some of those convicted of lesser offences after five to 10 years. If the PNC record of someone on the NDNAD no longer exists, it is not possible to determine whether the person has or has not been convicted.
	Data obtained from the PNC on 31 March 2008 indicate that 3,832,986 (of the 4,116,713) people had a record retained on the PNC. Of these, 3,259,347 had a conviction, caution, formal warning or reprimand recorded on the PNC.

Genetics: Databases

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the estimated one million people whose records are held on the national DNA database who have not been convicted of any crime are domiciled in Scotland.

Meg Hillier: Information is not collected by my Department on the number of people domiciled Scotland who have not been convicted of any crime, with records on the national DNA database (NDNAD). Police powers to take and retain DNA are a devolved matter and differ between Scotland, and England and Wales. Also, the NDNAD does not hold information on where people with records on it live; information is categorised on the basis of the police force which added the record.

Genetics: Databases

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) children and  (b) adults resident in Bexley had their DNA recorded on police records in each of the last five years.

Meg Hillier: Information held on the national DNA database (NDNAD) is available on the basis of the police force which added the DNA profile, not the address of the person sampled. Information is not therefore available on the number of residents of Bexley who have had a DNA profile loaded. Information is however available on the number of profiles loaded by the Metropolitan police in the last five years as shown in Table 1.
	The number of profiles is not the same as the number of individuals. This is because a number of subject profiles on the NDNAD are replicates, i.e. a profile for a person has been loaded to the NDNAD on more than one occasion. This may arise for a number of reasons, such as a person giving a different name on different occasions they are arrested, or because of upgrading of profiles from the SGM to the SGM Plus profiling system. It is estimated that 13.3 per cent. of the subject profiles held on the entire NDNAD are replicates. However, this rate may vary between forces, so figures for the number of individuals are not given for particular forces.
	
		
			  Table 1: Metropolitan police 
			   Profiles loaded taken from: 
			   All ages  Aged under 18 at time profile loaded  Aged 18 and over at time profile loaded 
			 2003-04 59,810 10,663 49,147 
			 2004-05 74,389 13,838 60,551 
			 2005-06 111,575 18,644 92,931 
			 2006-07 154,674 25,246 129,428 
			 2007-08 86,032 15,299 70,733

National Identity Register

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 6 June 2008,  Official Report, column 999W, on the national identity register, how many contacts for verification and amendment of records she estimates the Identity and Passport Service will receive in the identity card scheme's first 12 months of operation; and what estimate she has made of this cost.

Meg Hillier: Act from the second half of 2009, will involve cards issued in limited numbers and so there is likely to be only a small number of subsequent amendments to records required in the first year of operation the cost of which will be incorporated in the overall cost of the initial phase of the scheme.

Police: Finance

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department under activity-based costing analysis, what the average  (a) total direct staff cost,  (b) total operational support cost,  (c) total business support cost and  (d) total cost excluding sustaining overheads was for providing police assistance for a (i) road traffic accident, (ii) public disorder incident, (iii) missing person case, (iv) sudden or suspicious death incident and (v) other non crime incident in each financial year since 2004.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 25 April 2008,  Official Report, column 2345W.

Police: Sirens

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will review the guidance on police siren usage  (a) in urban areas and  (b) at night.

Tony McNulty: The police use of sirens is governed by the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. These permit the use of sirens only when an emergency service vehicle has to alert other road users that it is present and responding to an urgent incident. Subject to that requirement, the use of sirens is an operational matter for the police.

Sexual Offences

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many registered  (a) sex offenders and  (b) paedophiles were resident in each police authority area in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: The information requested is as follows:
	 (a) This information is published in local multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) annual reports, which are available in the House Libraries and at:
	http://www.probation.justice.gov.uk/output/page30.asp
	These data were not collated before 2004-05.
	 (b) Information on the number of registered sex offenders within each police force area who have committed sexual offences against children is not centrally collated.

Stop and Search: Ethnic Groups

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the reasons for black people to be two and a half times more likely than white people to be stopped by police under stop and account powers.

Tony McNulty: The police have been required to record the details of those people who have been stopped and required to account for their presence, behaviour or articles in their possession since April 2005. The first data sets relating to stop and account were formally released this year. The National Policing Improvement Agency is currently engaged in work to reduce disproportionality in both the 'Stop and Search' and 'Stop and Account' procedures.

UK Border Agency: Patrol Craft

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) cutters,  (b) inflatable craft and  (c) other boats have been in use with (i) the UK Border Agency and (ii) other agencies undertaking border patrols in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: As of April 2008, the maritime border patrols and operations became the responsibility of the UK Border Agency. These were previously undertaken by either (a) HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) (from April 2005 until April 2008) or (b) HM Customs and Excise (HMC and E) (prior to April 2005).
	Since 2001, a Cutter fleet comprised of five deep sea cutters has been available for operation. Each of the five cutters is further equipped to deploy one rigid hull inflatable boat (RIB).
	Additionally, the UKBA has various craft which are on loan to other agencies which are involved in border activity. There are currently a total of 13 craft on loan to colleagues in other border agencies. This figure can be broken down as follows:
	One inflatable craft with Dorset Police
	One small craft with Isle of Man Customs
	One small craft with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
	One small craft with Essex Police
	One small craft with Dover Port Police.
	Eight small craft with the Maritime Volunteer Service
	Prior to 2001, these vessels were operated by HM Customs and Excise, and were not on loan. No vessels other than those listed above were operated. The main cutter fleet has consistently run with five operational vessels during the period 1997 to date.
	UKBA Maritime assets work regularly in support of operations by both the Police and SOCA in order to provide the earliest possible interdiction of importation attempts and suspected attempts.

DEFENCE

Armed Forces: Cumbria

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many members of the armed forces recruited in the last five years from  (a) Cumbria and  (b) Copeland were killed in service in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan;
	(2)  how many members of the armed forces recruited in the last five years from  (a) Cumbria and  (b) Copeland received debilitating wounds whilst on active service in (i) Iraq and (ii) Afghanistan.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 10 September 2008
	 Officials are collating the information requested. When this work is complete, I will write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Armed Forces: Housing

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much of receipts from assets sales his Department has allocated to expenditure on armed forces personnel accommodation in each of the last five years.

Derek Twigg: holding answer  10 September 2008
	As part of the periodic Spending Reviews, the Department agrees with HM Treasury annual targets for receipts from the disposal of surplus assets. Net expenditure budgets are agreed accordingly with receipts contributing to capital investment in infrastructure and the estate. While there is usually no direct link between the receipts from asset sales and expenditure on accommodation, HM Treasury agreed with the Department as part of the 2007 Comprehensive Spending Review, that the proceeds from the disposal of Chelsea should be ring-fenced to be invested in service accommodation.

Army: Foreigners

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of  (a) all personnel and  (b) officers in the army were nationals of overseas countries (A) in 1997, (B) in 2001, (C) in 2005 and (D) at the latest date for which information is available.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 10 September 2008
	 The proportion of all personnel and officers in the regular Army whose nationality was that of an overseas country in 1997, 2001, 2005 and 1 July 2008 are given in the following table:
	
		
			  Proportion of (i) all regular Army personnel and (ii) Army officers by nationality 
			  Percentage 
			   1 April 1997  1 April 2001  1 April 2005  1 July 2008( 1, 2) 
			  Nationality  All personnel  Officers  All personnel  Officers  All personnel  Officers  All Personnel  Officers 
			 UK 99.4 98.7 98.4 98.4 94.2 98.1 92.8(4) 98.1(4) 
			 Foreign and Commonwealth(3) 0.6 1.3 1.6 1.6 5.8 1.9 7.2(4) 1.9(4) 
			 (1 )2,450 personnel with no nationality marker on JPA have been excluded from 1 July 2008 figures. (2. )Due to ongoing validation of data from JPA, Army strength statistics at 1 July 2008 are provisional and subject to review. (3 )Foreign and Commonwealth personnel include personnel whose nationality was that of Republic of Ireland, Commonwealth (excluding UK), UK dependencies and other countries, as recorded on Record of Service/Joint Personnel Administration System (JPA). (4 )Denotes provisional.  Notes: 1. The figures are for regular Army only and therefore exclude Gurkhas, Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment, Full Time Reserve Service, Mobilised Reserves, TA and all other Reserves. It includes both trained and untrained personnel. 2. Nationality is that recorded on Record of Service/JPA as at the date of strength and is not necessarily the same as at birth or when recruited.

Army: Foreigners

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many non-UK citizens there were in  (a) the Army excluding the Gurkhas and  (b) the Gurkhas at the latest date for which figures are available; and how many personnel there were from each (i) overseas country and (ii) British overseas territory in each case.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 10 September 2008
	As at 1 July 2008, there were 7,350 Foreign and Commonwealth trained and untrained regular army officers and soldiers excluding Gurkhas. There were 3,830 trained and untrained Gurkhas as at 1 July 2008, all of whom are Nepalese.
	A breakdown of the nationality of these personnel is given in the following table:
	
		
			  Regular army officers and soldiers by nationality as at 1 July 2008 
			Officer and soldier  Officer  Soldier 
			  Category  Nationality  Trained  Untrained  Trained  Untrained  Trained  Untrained 
			  Total (1)93,800 (1)10,190 (1)13,820 (1)820 (1)79,980 (1)9,370 
			  UK total (1)86,930 (1)7,270 (1)13,560 (1)690 (1)73,370 (1)6,580 
			  Percentage of column total (1)92.7 (1)71.3 (1)98.1 (1)83.9 (1)91.7 (1)70.2 
			 
			  British (or first UK nationality is British) (1)86,545 (1)7,245 (1)13,540 (1)690 (1)73,005 (1)6,555 
			  British Hong Kong (1)10 (1)5 (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)10 (1)5 
			  British overseas territory citizen (1)370 (1)20 (1)20 (1,2)— (1)350 (1)20 
			 
			  Republic of Ireland total (1)210 (1)20 (1)40 (1,3)— (1)170 (1)20 
			  Percentage of column total (1)0.2 (1)0.2 (1)0.3 (1)0.4 (1)0.2 (1)0.2 
			 Republic of Ireland Irish(4) (1)205 (1)25 (1)40 (1,3)— (1)170 (1)20 
			 
			  Commonwealth (excl UK) total (1)6,120 (1)860 (1)180 (1)20 (1)5,940 (1)840 
			  Percentage of column total (1)6.5 (1)8.4 (1)1.3 (1)1.9 (1)7.4 (1)9.0 
			 Commonwealth (excl UK) Antiguan (1,3)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— 
			  Australian (1)65 (1)5 (1)30 (1,3)— (1)30 (1,3)— 
			  Bahamian (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— 
			  Bangladeshi (1)5 (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)5 (1,3)— 
			  Barbadian (1)10 (1,3)— (1,3)— (1,3)— (1)10 (1,2)— 
			  Belizean (1,3)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,3)— 
			  Botswanan (1)10 (1)10 (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)10 (1)10 
			  British Commonwealth (1)10 (1,2)— (1)5 (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— 
			  Cameroonian (1)35 (1)15 (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)35 (1)15 
			  Canadian (1)50 (1,3)— (1)15 (1,3)— (1)35 (1,3)— 
			  Citizen of Fiji (1)2,005 (1)170 (1,3)— (1,2)— (1)2,000 (1)170 
			  Citizen of Seychelles (1)10 (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)10 (1,2)— 
			  Citizen of Sri Lanka (1)10 (1,3)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1)10 (1,3)— 
			  Citizen of St Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— 
			  Dominican (1)20 (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)20 (1,3)— 
			  Gambian (1)125 (1)40 (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)125 (1)40 
			  Ghanaian (1)685 (1)185 (1,3)— (1,2)— (1)680 (1)185 
			  Grenadian (1)50 (1)10 (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)50 (1)10 
			  Guyanese (1)20 (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)20 (1,3)— 
			  Indian (1)60 (1)25 (1)10 (1,3)— (1)50 (1)25 
			  Jamaican (1)660 (1)20 (1,3)— (1,2)— (1)660 (1)20 
			  Kenyan (1)110 (1)40 (1,3)— (1,2)— (1)110 (1)40 
			  Lesotho (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— 
			  Malawian (1)140 (1)45 (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)140 (1)45 
			  Malaysian (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— 
			  Maltese (1)5 (1,3)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,3)— 
			  Mauritian (1)35 (1)10 (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)35 (1)10 
			  Namibian (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— 
			  New Zealander (1)60 (1,3)— (1)20 (1,2)— (1)40 (1,3)— 
			  Nigerian (1)90 (1)40 (1,3)— (1,3)— (1)90 (1)40 
			  Pakistani (1)5 (1,3)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1)5 (1,3)— 
			  Papua New Guinean (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— 
			  Sierra Leonean (1)40 (1,3)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1)35 (1,3)— 
			  Singaporean (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— 
			  South African (1)730 (1)120 (1)50 (1)10 (1)675 (1)115 
			  St Lucian (1)190 (1)15 (1,3)— (1,2)— (1)190 (1)15 
			  Swazi (1)10 (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)10 (1,3)— 
			  Tanzanian (1,3)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,3)— 
			  Tongan (1)5 (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)5 (1,3)— 
			  Trinidad and Tobago citizen (1)65 (1)5 (1,3)— (1,2)— (1)65 (1)5 
			  Ugandan (1)55 (1)20 (1,3)— (1,2)— (1)55 (1)20 
			  Vincentian (1)235 (1)5 (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)235 (1)5 
			  Zambian (1)20 (1,3)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1)20  
			  Zimbabwean (1)460 (1)40 (1)20 (1,3)— (1)440 (1)40 
			 
			  UK Dependency total (1)20 (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1)20 (1,2)— 
			  Percentage of column total (1)0.0 (1)0.0 (1)0.0 (1)0.0 (1)0.0 (1)0.0 
			 UK Dependency Ascension Islander (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— 
			  Gibraltarian (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— 
			  Monserratian (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— 
			  St. Helenian (1)15 (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1)15 (1,2)— 
			 
			  Other total (1)100 (1)10 (1)30 (1,3)— (1)70 (1)10 
			  Percentage of column total (1)0.1 (1)0.1 (1)0.2 (1)0.4 (1)0.1 (1)0.1 
			 Other Afghan (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— 
			  Brazilian (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— 
			  Chinese (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— 
			  Colombian (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— 
			  Dutch (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— 
			  Filipino (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— 
			  Foreign (1)5 (1,2)— (1)5 (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— 
			  French (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— 
			  German (1)5 (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— 
			  Italian (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— 
			  Mauritanian (1,3)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,3)— 
			  Nepalese (1)80 (1,3)— (1)20 (1,3)— (1)65 (1,3)— 
			  Somali (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,3)— 
			  Spanish (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— 
			  Swiss (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— 
			  Ukrainian (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,2)— (1,2)— 
			  United States citizen (1,3)— (1,3)— (1,3)— (1,2)— (1,3)— (1,3)— 
			 
			  No value total (1)420 (1)2,030 (1)10 (1)110 (1)410 (1)1,920 
			  Percentage of column total (1)0.4 (1)19.9 (1)0.1 (1)13.5 (1)0.5 (1)20.4 
			  No value (1)420 (1)2,025 (1)10 (1)110 (1)410 (1)1,915 
			 (1) Provisional. (2) Zero. (3) Fewer than 5. (4) Citizen of the Irish Republic.  Notes: 1. Prior to 1980 Zimbabwe was known as Rhodesia. Rhodesia was not a member of the Commonwealth. Zimbabwe was suspended from the Councils of the Commonwealth in February 2002. Zimbabwe withdrew from the Commonwealth on 7 December 2003 after the suspension was renewed at the Commonwealth Leaders' meeting. An Act of Parliament is required to affect the status of its citizens if a country withdraws from the Commonwealth. 2. Figures are for trained and untrained regular strengths only and therefore exclude FTRS, Gurkhas and mobilised reservists. 3. Figures have been rounded to 5; numbers ending in "5" have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. Totals have been rounded to 10. Totals and subtotals have been rounded separately and so may not appear to be the sum of their parts. 4. Due to the ongoing validation of the new Joint Personnel Administration System all Army data from 1 April 2007 are provisional and subject to review.

Army: Manpower

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel were enlisted in the Army at the latest date for which information is available.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 10 September 2008
	As at 1 July 2008 the current strength of the Army was 108,750. This figure includes all trained and untrained personnel, Ghurkhas and full-time Reserve personnel. It excludes Army Reservists mobilised for service.
	Information on the strength of the Army is published by DASA in its monthly National Statistics release "TSP3: UK Armed Forces Strengths and Requirements" which can be found at:
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/applications/newWeb/www/apps/publications/pubViewFile.php?content=50&date=2008-08-28&type=pdf.
	Due to ongoing validation of data from the Joint Personnel Administration System, Army strength statistics at 1 July 2008 are provisional and subject to review.

NATO

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the agenda is for the NATO defence ministers' meeting in London on 18 September 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: Following on from discussions at the Bucharest summit, the NATO Secretary-General called for a special meeting of NATO Defence Ministers to focus on the political challenges of NATO reform and to give ministerial direction and leadership to the transformation agenda. As a firm believer in the need for a fresh look at our international institutions, I offered to host the meeting which will be held at Lancaster House on 18 and 19 of September 2008. The Secretary-General has not issued any formal agenda, but has broadly outlined the issues facing the alliance—planning and delivering key capabilities; efficient use of human, financial and technical resources; and joint and proportionate burden-sharing. It is likely we will discuss also recent events in Georgia.

Nuclear Weapons

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the UK's policy on nuclear first use is; and if he will publish the relevant guidelines.

Des Browne: The United Kingdom Government would be prepared to use nuclear weapons only in extreme circumstances of self-defence. We would not use our weapons, whether conventional or nuclear, contrary to international law.
	The UK does not rule in or out the first use of nuclear weapons. A policy of no first use of nuclear weapons would be incompatible with our and NATO's doctrine of deterrence. We do not determine in advance how to react to aggression. This would be decided in the context of all circumstances prevailing at the time. Our overall strategy is to ensure uncertainty in the mind of any aggressor about the exact nature of our response, and thus to maintain effective deterrence.

Poland: Ballistic Missile Defence

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the Government's policy is on Poland's hosting of US missile defence facilities and Russia's position on such hosting; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The agreement between Poland and the US to establish a ballistic missile defence interceptor site on Polish territory is welcomed.
	The US ballistic missile defence assets in Europe will provide a limited defensive capability against a small number of states of concern who are currently seeking to develop or acquire ballistic missiles with the capability of striking Europe. Russia is fully aware of the capabilities, and limitations, of the planned US system, and are aware that their security should not, and could not, be threatened by it.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Boilers: Natural Gas

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many gas boilers were installed in homes in England and Wales in each year since 2004; and how many were  (a) A-rated,  (b) B-rated condensing boilers and  (c) D-rated boilers.

Phil Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
	The following table sets out how many gas boilers were installed in homes in the United Kingdom as a whole. It is not possible to break down these data for England and Wales only.
	
		
			  Number of units sold to the domestic sector 
			  Energy efficiency class  2005  2006  2007 
			 A 824,165 1,051,954 1,271,748 
			 B 200,284 310,844 262,439 
			 C 1,179 482 296 
			 D 449,838 176,463 78,666 
			 E 2,875 0 0 
			 F 32 0 0 
			 G 0 0 0 
			 Unknown 336 8 1,418 
			 Total 1,478,709 1,539,751 1,614,567

Councillors: Codes of Practice

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether councillors who are members of a joint committee with another council are required to  (a) sign the code of conduct and  (b) maintain a separate register of interests for both the council to which they were elected and the council also represented on the joint committee; and what guidance the Standards Board for England has issued on this matter.

John Healey: There are no such requirements or guidance.
	When a councillor serves on a joint committee, they are acting as a representative of their authority and so must comply with their own council's code of conduct. The councillor's register of interests made to the council they were elected to is available to public scrutiny.

Departmental Cleaning Services

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which companies her Department has contracts with for the provision of cleaning services; and what the hourly rate of pay is for cleaners in her Department.

John Healey: Cleaning services are provided as part of the Integrated Facilities Management Contract for CLG's HQ building with MITIE Group PLC. The current hourly rates of pay for cleaning grades are as follows:
	
		
			   £ 
			 Part-time cleaners and full-time day janitors 5.52 
			 Part-time cleaning supervisors 6.70 
			 Full-time day cleaning supervisors 7.78

Departmental Overseas Visits

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 21 April 2008,  Official Report, column 1392W, on departmental overseas visits, which overseas conferences her Department's representatives attended as part of the 388 overseas visits referred to.

Parmjit Dhanda: Communities and Local Government does not hold central records about individual overseas visits. All overseas visits require the local approval of the appropriate deputy director who will ensure business need and value for money are justified.

Eco-Towns: Expenditure

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department spent on the eco-town policy and its implementation in each of the last three years for which figures are available; how much it has spent on the policy and its implementation in relation to the Pennbury site in each such year; and what its planned expenditure on the eco-towns policy is  (a) in relation to the Pennbury site and  (b) in total in each financial year to 2012-13.

John Healey: The eco-towns policy was announced in February 2007 and it has been developed alongside our housing policies. The costs for developing the policy form part of the Department's running costs and are set out in the departmental annual report, "Community, opportunity, prosperity". Future allocations to support infrastructure and local authority expenditure in relation to any of the sites will be drawn from the growth funding made available in CSR07.
	The Pennbury site was announced as a shortlisted location on 3 April 2008. Since then and to date we have spent or committed approximately £153,000 on publicity and local authority assessment work, in addition to our assessments of financial viability and sustainability for all the sites. We are currently consulting on Pennbury and all the shortlisted eco-town locations.

Energy Performance Certificates

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether data gatherers for energy performance certificates, who are not domestic energy assessors, will need to be accredited and undertake a Criminal Records Bureau check.

John Healey: CLG has issued guidance setting out the circumstances in which data gatherers may be used. A Criminal Records Bureau check is needed for a data gatherer who visits dwellings unaccompanied by either a domestic energy assessor or the landlord where the dwellings have tenants. A data gatherer does not need to be accredited but cannot produce a certificate. The certificate is the responsibility of the domestic energy assessor (DEA).

English Regions Network

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will abolish the English Regions Network.

John Healey: The English Regional Network is a voluntary body that represents regional assemblies at a national level; as such the Secretary of State does not have the power to abolish it. A consultation paper on the Review of Sub National Economic Development and Regeneration was published on 31 March which included proposals to remove regional planning powers from regional assemblies and a response to that consultation will be issued in due course.

Fire Services

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what representations she has received on the FiReControl Project from  (a) Chief Fire Officers,  (b) chairs of local fire authorities and  (c) chairs of local authority companies since March 2008; and whether such representations have indicated opposition from fire authorities in their region to the move to regional control centres;
	(2)  what plans she has to introduce regional fire control centres in areas where the local fire authority opposes their introduction; under what authority such powers may be exercised; and what powers she has to enforce such action.

John Healey: We are working closely with all interested parties, including chief fire officers, fire and rescue authorities and local authority controlled companies, to deliver the FiReControl Project. There have been formal and informal representations and as with any project, a mixture of views have been submitted.
	As the recently published Business Case Part 1: The Regional Cases show, FiReControl will significantly enhance national resilience and will provide a much greater functionality for the fire and rescue service in England. Communities and Local Government is committed to delivering this project. The "Fire and Rescue Service National Framework 2008-11" reinforced this commitment.
	Communities and Local Government have worked in partnership with other interested parties to deliver the FiReControl Project, and wishes to continue working in this way. But because of its importance we would consider, but only as a last resort, the use of powers under sections 22 and 29 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 to ensure a successful move to FiReControl Network.

Fire Services

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the timetable for the regional fire control centres in England to be fully operational as a national network is.

Parmjit Dhanda: All Fire and Rescue Authorities should have transferred their calls to the regional control centre network by September 2011.
	For further details on the schedule for each FRA I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Robert Neill) on 2 June 2008,  Official Report, column 541W.

Fire Services

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she plans to publish the full business case for the FiReControl Project.

John Healey: Part 1 of the Business Case: The Regional Case was published on 8 July 2008, a copy has been placed in the House Library. Part 2: The National Case, will be published later this year.

Fire Services: Equipment

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many fire appliances there are in service in each brigade; and how many in each brigade carry  (a) defibrillators and  (b) other first aid equipment.

John Healey: Information on the number of front-line pumping appliances and defibrillators in each fire and rescue service in England during 2007 is set out in the following table. Information on how many of these appliances carry a defibrillator or other first aid equipment is not centrally held and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Front-line appliances and defibrillators in the fire and rescue services—England 2007 
			  Fire and rescue service  Front line pumping appliances  Defibrillators( 1) 
			 Avon 37 37 
			 Bedfordshire and Luton 22 14 
			 Buckinghamshire 33 0 
			 Cambridgeshire 38 29 
			 Cheshire 35 0 
			 Cleveland 22 23 
			 Cornwall 43 3 
			 County Durham and Darlington 27 15 
			 Cumbria 51 5 
			 Derbyshire 44 0 
			 Devon and Somerset 122 21 
			 Dorset 41 27 
			 East Sussex 35 2 
			 Essex 70 0 
			 Gloucestershire 33 15 
			 Greater Manchester 66 66 
			 Hampshire 76 9 
			 Hereford and Worcester 43 0 
			 Hertfordshire 41 12 
			 Humberside 49 49 
			 Isle of Wight 16 2 
			 Isles of Scilly 3 n/a 
			 Kent 87 6 
			 Lancashire 63 2 
			 Leicestershire 31 29 
			 Lincolnshire 48 22 
			 London 168 80 
			 Merseyside 42 1 
			 Norfolk 54 12 
			 North Yorkshire 47 20 
			 Northamptonshire 28 2 
			 Northumberland 24 13 
			 Nottinghamshire 36 20 
			 Oxfordshire 35 3 
			 Royal Berkshire 24 1 
			 Shropshire 28 0 
			 South Yorkshire 32 23 
			 Staffordshire 46 25 
			 Suffolk 47 0 
			 Surrey 35 10 
			 Tyne and Wear 31 31 
			 Warwickshire 26 0 
			 West Midlands 62 0 
			 West Sussex 46 45 
			 West Yorkshire 64 62 
			 Wiltshire 35 12 
			 England 2,086 419 
			 (1) Number of defibrillators held in each fire and rescue service, which are carried on pumps, other vehicles like vans or are located at fire stations.   Source: Communities and Local Government

Heating

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) domestic and  (b) non-domestic ground source heat pump installations there are; and what percentage of dwellings have ground source heat pumps installed.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	As part of a consortium of organisations including the microgeneration industry and energy NGOs, we commissioned research on the growth potential for microgeneration in England, Wales and Scotland, which included current levels of uptake. It found that there were an estimated 750-2,000 ground source heat pump installations at the end of 2007. It did not estimate how many were domestic or non-domestic installations.
	The research can be accessed at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/sustainable/microgeneration/research/page38208.html

Heating: Solar Power

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) domestic and  (b) non-domestic solar thermal hot water installations to buildings there were in each year since 2004; and what percentage of all buildings this represents.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	As part of a consortium of organisations including the microgeneration industry and energy NGOs, we commissioned research on the growth potential for microgeneration in England, Wales and Scotland, which included current levels of uptake. It found that there were an estimated 90,000 solar thermal installations at the end of 2007, up from 78,000 at the end of 2004. It did not estimate how many were domestic or non-domestic installations.
	The research can be accessed at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/sustainable/microgeneration/research/page38208.html

Home Information Packs

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effects of home information packs on the incidence of  (a) gazumping and  (b) gazundering in the housing market.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my right hon. Friend the Housing Minister gave to the hon. Member for Winchester (Mr. Oaten) on 10 September 2008,  Official Report, column 1989W.

Home Information Packs

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the maximum shelf life of each element of a commissioned home information pack is.

Parmjit Dhanda: The elements of a home information pack (HIP) have no shelf life under the regulations as there is no requirement for sellers to update any document in the HIP as long as the property remains on the market.

Housing: Low Incomes

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will take steps to ensure that building affordable family homes is a key component of delivery for development in  (a) Warrington and  (b) other housing growth point areas.

John Healey: Government do not set the levels and mix affordable housing in an area. This is set by local authorities through their local development frameworks as part of regional and local planning processes.
	However, in order to emphasise the importance of delivering affordable housing, levels of affordable housing ambition were one of the criteria on which bids for new growth point status were appraised and is a key component of the assessment process for funding from the Growth Fund, which we have recently consulted on. The response to the consultation can be found on the Communities and Local Government website at www.communities.gsi.gov.uk. A copy has been placed in the Library.

Housing: Low Incomes

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) councils and  (b) housing associations are offering the Social HomeBuy scheme.

John Healey: There are currently  (a) 10 local authorities and  (b) 69 housing associations offering the voluntary Social HomeBuy scheme to their tenants.

Housing: Waiting Lists

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people there are on housing waiting lists in each housing authority area in Cornwall and Devon; and what percentage of the population this represents in each housing authority area.

John Healey: Information on local authority waiting lists is collected in respect of households rather than individuals. Where local authorities and registered social landlords operate a common register, households registered with the registered social landlords will be included in the data. However, registered social landlords are independent bodies and can keep their own waiting lists.
	Information on the number of households on local authorities' waiting lists broken down by Government office region and local authority and the percentage of households this represents is published on the Communities and Local Government website in Table 600 at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/144458.xls.
	Copies of this table are available in the Library.

Local Government: Maladministration

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many complaints of maladministration upheld by the Local Government Ombudsman resulted in a formal ruling that was not implemented by the local authority in question in each year since 1997-98; and to which local authorities such rulings related.

John Healey: Where the Local Government Ombudsman finds maladministration that has caused injustice, a report is issued that includes recommendations for a remedy for the complainant, with around a 100 reports issued annually.
	The following table lists local authorities who have failed to provide satisfactory remedies since 1997-98.
	
		
			  Authorities who have failed to provide satisfactory remedies 
			  Year of issue of report  Authority 
			 1997-98 Mid Suffolk DC 
			  Salford City C 
			  Walsall MBC 
			   
			 1998-99 None 
			   
			 1999-2000 Newark and Sherwood DC 
			  Basildon DC 
			  Sefton MBC 
			   
			 2000-01 Eden DC 
			  Rossendale BC 
			  North Warwickshire DC 
			   
			 2001-02 East Riding of Yorkshire 
			   
			 2002-03 Chichester DC 
			  Portsmouth City Council 
			   
			 2003-04 Dudley MBC 
			   
			 2004-05 None 
			   
			 2005-06 Blackpool BC 
			   
			 2006-07 East Riding of Yorkshire 
			   
			 2007-08 Trafford MBC

Property Information Questionnaires

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the information collected from property information questionnaires will be sorted in an electronic database.

Parmjit Dhanda: There are no plans to do so. As set out in our consultation paper, the property information questionnaire would be completed by individual sellers and provided to prospective buyers as part of the HIP.

Property: Sales

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what forecast she has made of the likely number of residential property sales in each of the next 12 months.

Caroline Flint: Communities and Local Government (CLG) does not make forecasts for the housing market and so has not made any forecasts of the number of residential property sales in each of the next 12 months. However, CLG does closely monitor the housing market and takes action to support it where necessary.

Supporting People Programme

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was distributed via Supporting People grants to each relevant local authority in England in each of the financial years 2006-07 to 2008-09; what amount each local authority would have received had the formula been applied without damping in each such year; and what the equivalent figures are estimated to be for  (a) 2009-10 and  (b) 2010-11.

John Healey: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer of 9 January 2008,  Official Report, column 553W, given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles).
	The formula used to calculate the funding allocations is available at:
	http://www.spkweb.org.uk/Subjects/Distribution+Formula/.
	It includes estimated undamped allocations for all authorities for the years 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11, and can also be used to calculate estimated allocations for previous years.

Thermal Insulation

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what percentage of households with lofts installed loft insulation in each year since 2004; and what proportion of these were first-time installations.

Phil Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
	Virtually all loft insulation installed in existing homes since 2004 has been installed via Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC). Both phases were administered by Ofgem and cover Great Britain, but not Northern Ireland.
	An independent review of EEC1 (2002-05), Evaluation of the Energy Efficiency Commitment 2002-05 (Eoin Lees Energy), showed that there were 226,245 professional insulations of lofts which previously had no insulation during this period. An additional 528,496 lofts, which already had some insulation, were topped up professionally. The programme also subsidises loft insulation via DIY outlets, and it is estimated that around 335,000 lofts were insulated by the householders themselves during the EEC1 period.
	Ofgem is due to report on EEC2 (2005-08) on 1 August 2008. Based on the second year report for EEC2, the average number of professional insulations during 2005 and 2006 was 380,000 per year(1). However, it is not yet known how many of these were in previously uninsulated properties.
	(1) Source:
	A review of the second year of the Energy Efficiency Commitment 2005-08, Ofgem.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Bereavement Benefits

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will revise the regulations determining bereavement benefit to ensure that  (a) widows and widowers are informed in writing of entitlements to the benefit and  (b) benefits are backdated to the date of entitlement for widows or widowers who do not receive such notification timeously.

Stephen Timms: The Department for Work and Pensions makes every effort to ensure that individuals who have been bereaved are aware of their possible entitlement to bereavement benefit.
	As well as provision of information through traditional sources, such as leaflets, Jobcentre Plus continues to work in partnership with registrars and coroners to ensure that information is made available to bereaved people.
	We have no plans to revise the regulations.

Care Homes: Winter Fuel Payments

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reasons those living in care homes are classified as ineligible for winter fuel payments by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Residents of care homes who are not in receipt of pension credit are entitled to a shared winter fuel payment of either £100 if they are aged 60 to 79 or £150 if they are aged 80 or over (this winter it will be £125 and £200 respectively). This is because they share the accommodation with other people who are also entitled to the payment and are responsible for a share of the heating costs.
	Residents of care homes who are in receipt of Pension Credit are not entitled to a winter fuel payment. This is because historically people living in a care home and in receipt of an income-related benefit have received public funding for their care and accommodation costs including heating. Originally this was through the income-related benefit itself but for many years now has been through funding from the local authority. As this is still the case for the vast majority of people receiving Pension Credit, the winter fuel payment is not payable.
	 Note:
	For winter 2008-09 the Winter Fuel Payment is increased to £250 for households with someone aged 60-79 and £400 for households with someone aged 80 or over.

Children: Maintenance

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many  (a) liability orders and  (b) deduction of earnings orders have been issued by the Child Support Agency to non-resident parents in (i) Jarrow constituency, (ii) South Tyneside, (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many Child Support Agency cases have been passed to the bailiffs in  (a) Jarrow constituency,  (b) South Tyneside,  (c) the North East and  (d) the UK in each year since 1997.

Mike O'Brien: The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to my hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	; and
	How many Child Support Agency cases have been passed to the bailiffs in (a) Jarrow constituency (b) South Tyneside (c) the North East and (d) the UK in each year since 1997.
	The Agency publishes information on the range of enforcement actions undertaken at national level, including the numbers of Liability Orders granted, new Deductions from Earnings Orders/Requests, and Distress Actions (where a case is passed to the bailiffs) in Table 21 of the Quarterly Summary of Statistics. The Quarterly Summary of Statistics can be found in the House of Commons library or online at the following address:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/csa.asp
	Information on the number of enforcement actions undertaken prior to April 2004 is not available.
	The Agency does not routinely collate enforcement information at constituency, county or regional level. The attached Table 1 provides an estimate of the information you have requested at regional level, however as this information is an estimate only, it is subject to revision. The method of estimating enforcement figures by matching postcodes to areas becomes increasingly less accurate as the geographical areas get smaller, therefore robust information below regional level is not available.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.
	
		
			  Table 1: Estimate of Liability Orders applied for, Deduction from Earnings Orders/Requests issued by the Agency and Bailiff referrals in the North East 
			   North East 
			   Liability orders  Bailiffs  Deductions from earnings orders /requests 
			 2004-05 445 250 (1)2,055 
			 2005-06 625 490 4,185 
			 2006-07 690 780 3,955 
			 2007-08 950 695 4,400 
			 (1) September 2004-March 2005  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. 2. No robust management information on enforcement measures exists prior to April 2004. 3. Robust management information for Deduction from Earnings Orders/Requests is also not available for December 2004, January 2005 or January 2007. At national level, figures for 2006-07 are underestimated by around 6,000. Figures for the seven months to March 2005 are underestimated by around 12,000. This means that figures for the North East for these periods are also underestimated.  4. The information provided in Table 2 is an estimate only and is therefore subject to revision. 5. The information on Liability Orders in Table 2 is on those applied for by the Agency and not the total granted by the courts. 6. Information concerning the number of Liability Orders applied for, the number of cases referred to debt collection agencies and numbers of new Deduction from Earnings Orders/Requests has been allocated to the relevant geographical area by matching the postcode of the non-resident parent against the Office for National Statistics postcode directory.

Children: Maintenance

Alan Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) liability orders and  (b) deduction of earnings orders have been issued by the Child Support Agency to non-resident parents in (i) Darlington constituency, (ii) County Durham, (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK since 1997.

Mike O'Brien: The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to my right hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many (a) Liability Orders and (b) Deduction from Earnings Orders have been issued by the Child Support Agency to non-resident parents in (i) Darlington constituency (ii) County Durham (iii) the North East and (iv) the UK since 1997.
	The Agency publishes information on the range of enforcement actions undertaken at national level, including the numbers of Liability Orders granted and new Deductions from Earnings Orders/Requests, in Table 21 of the Quarterly Summary of Statistics, a copy of which can be found in the House of Commons library or online at the following address:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/csa.asp.
	Unfortunately information on the number of Deduction from Earnings Orders and Liability Orders applied for or granted prior to April 2004 is not available.
	The Agency does not routinely collate enforcement information at constituency, county or regional level. The attached Table 1 provides an estimate of the information you have requested at regional level, however as this information is an estimate only, it is subject to revision. The method of estimating enforcement figures by matching postcodes to areas becomes increasingly less accurate as the geographical areas get smaller, therefore robust information below regional level is not available.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.
	
		
			  Table 1: Estimate of Liability Orders Applied For and Deduction from Earnings Orders/Requests Issued by the Agency in the North East 
			   Liability orders  Deductions from earnings orders/requests 
			 2004-05 445 (1)2,055 
			 2005-06 625 4,185 
			 2006-07 690 3,955 
			 2007-08 950 4,400 
			 (1) September 2004-March 2005  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5. 2. No robust management information on enforcement measures exists prior to April 2004. 3. Robust management information for Deduction from Earnings Orders/Requests is also not available for December 2004, January 2005 or January 2007. At national level, figures for 2006-07 are underestimated by around 6,000. Figures for the seven months to March 2005 are underestimated by around 12,000. This means that figures for the North East for these figures are also underestimated. 4. The information provided is an estimate only and is therefore subject to revision. 5. The information on Liability Orders is on those applied for by the Agency and not the total granted by the courts. 6. Information concerning the number of Liability Orders applied for and numbers of new Deduction from Earnings Orders/Requests has been allocated to the relevant geographical area by matching the postcode of the non-resident parent with the Office for National Statistics postcode directory.

Departmental Buildings

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which organisations have received  (a) free and  (b) discounted room hire from (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies in each of the last five years; and what the commercial value of the discount was in each case.

Anne McGuire: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental ICT

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the value of his Department's computer systems  (a) was at the time of purchase and  (b) is now.

Anne McGuire: These are the totals as held on the Department's fixed asset register:
	
		
			   £ 
			 Cost 266,343,510 
			 Accum Deprn 202,338,527 
			 New Book Value 64,004,982.78 
		
	
	In addition to the assets held by the department IT services are provided by a third party supplier.

Departmental Paper

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of paper used  (a) for photocopying and  (b) in printed publications by his Department was from recycled sources in each of the last two years.

Anne McGuire: In 2006-07, 97 per cent. by volume (94 per cent. by spend) of the paper used for photocopying by the Department was recycled paper. In 2007-08, the figures were 82 per cent. by volume and 80 per cent. by spend respectively.
	Wherever possible the Department seeks to buy recycled paper in line with the mandatory "Buy Sustainable—Quick Wins" minimum environmental product standards as developed by DEFRA. All of the Department's forms and claim packs are printed on 100 per cent./re-cycled paper. Leaflets, marketing materials and magazines are printed on a variety of paper types, depending on the technical requirements of the individual product. The paper can be either 100 per cent. recycled, part re-cycled part virgin pulp or 100 per cent. virgin pulp. The Department does not hold information on the proportion of each type. Where virgin pulp is used it is purchased from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) accredited sustainable sources.

Departmental Written Questions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how long on average his Department took to answer  (a) ordinary written and  (b) named day questions in each of the last three years.

Anne McGuire: The information requested is in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of questions  Average working days( 1)  to reply 
			   Ordinary  Named day  Ordinary  Named day 
			 2005 2,394 553 13 7 
			 2006 3,272 634 15 8 
			 2007 2,692 657 12 8 
			 (1 )Working days excludes weekends and non-sitting days when PQ replies cannot be tabled.

Employment and Support Allowance

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of income-based claimants who will be  (a) better and  (b) worse off following the introduction of Employment and Support Allowance; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 15 July 2008
	No existing claimant of incapacity benefits will be made worse off in cash terms as a result of introducing the employment and support allowance.
	Employment and support allowance will replace incapacity benefits (including income support on grounds of incapacity) for new claimants from October 2008. Existing claimants will remain on incapacity benefits and will be migrated to employment and support allowance over the three years from 2010 to 2013. After migration, those who are entitled to a higher rate under employment and support allowance than their previous rate under incapacity benefits will receive more money. All other claimants will have their cash level of benefit protected.
	Employment and support allowance is an entirely new benefit with a new structure and new benefit rates. Under employment and support allowance, people will generally receive more money earlier in a claim. Over the next five years, spending on employment and support allowance is forecast to be £400 million higher than would have been spent on incapacity benefits.

Industrial Health and Safety: EU Action

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what consideration he has given to seeking an exemption for professional paint removers should the European Commission's proposals to prohibit the use of methylene chloride be implemented.

Anne McGuire: The European Commission's proposal, currently under negotiation, for restricting the marketing and use of methylene chloride-based paint strippers, already contains the possibility for individual member states to authorise the continued use of these products by licensed professional users.
	Under the proposal, the only requirements for granting licences relate to training in safe use.

Jobcentre Plus: Manpower

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many jobseeker's allowance claimants there were per member of frontline staff in Jobcentre Plus and its predecessor agencies in each of the last 10 years  (a) in total and  (b) broken down by region; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 10 September 2008
	 The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) claimants there were per member of frontline staff in Jobcentre Plus and its predecessor agencies in each of the last 10 years a) in total and b) broken down by region; and if he will make a statement. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Unfortunately we are unable to provide a functional breakdown of Jobcentre Plus staff prior to March 2004.
	The table below shows the number of full-time equivalent staff employed as operational staff in Jobcentres, Jobcentre Plus offices, Social Security offices and Benefit Delivery Centres, Contact Centres and those who provide support for these services, for the period 2004 to 2008. It is not possible to differentiate between those who deal directly with the public and those who perform other supporting functions, and nor are we able to provide this information by region.
	
		
			  March  JSA claimants  Full-time equivalent staff  JSA claimants per FTE 
			 2004 889,610 74,036.4 12.0 
			 2005 853,142 66,808.6 12.8 
			 2006 960,487 59,789.7 16.1 
			 2007 930,094 57,939.5 16.1 
			 2008 818,295 56,865.5 14.4 
			  Notes:  1. Headcount figures are quoted in full-time equivalents using the Office for National Statistics criteria for counting headcount and details the position at March in each year.  2. The figures provided are for Great Britain.  3. Claimant information uses the seasonally adjusted figures. The term "frontline staff" is interpreted to mean all operational staff, including those in support roles, as we are unable to accurately identify, on a consistent basis throughout the time period, those who deal directly with the public. Figures exclude those people in National Directorates.

New Deal Schemes: Disqualification

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many sanctions have been applied to claimants on each New Deal scheme during their  (a) first,  (b) second,  (c) third and  (d) fourth or more time of involvement with the scheme for their (i) first, (ii) second and (iii) third or more offence.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 10 September 2008
	 The information is not available.

Pension Credit

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were granted backdated pension credits going back further than three months  (a) in England,  (b) in London and  (c) in the London Borough of Sutton in the last year for which figures are available.

Mike O'Brien: All the information requested is not available; such information as is available is in the following table. Precise information on the time customers take to claim pension credit (known as backdating) is not routinely collected. The information in the following table estimates the possible maximum extent of backdating by examining the difference between the date of first payment and the date at which entitlement begins. In some cases where payment starts after entitlement the delay will be due to processing times, evidence gathering and verification work which routinely accompanies claims for pension credit.
	
		
			  Estimates of pension credit claims backdated for more than three months in England and London, 2006-07 
			   Number 
			 England 90,000 
			 London 10,000 
			  Notes:  1. Estimates have been rounded to the nearest 10,000.  2. Estimates at local authority level are not sufficiently robust for publication.  3. Care should be taken when interpreting the table. The Department does not routinely collect information on backdating periods and these estimates have been produced by comparing information on the date entitlement starts and the date pension credit is put into payment. Estimated backdating periods therefore include unknown periods of time that are due to processing, evidence gathering and verification work which routinely accompany every claim for pension credit.  4. Estimates cover the 2006-07 financial year May 2006 to February 2007.   Source:  Experimental Statistics of Pension Credit on flows.

Pension Credit

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent by his Department on backdated payments of pension credit in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Precise information on the time customers take to claim pension credit (known as backdating) is not routinely collected, nor therefore is expenditure on backdating. Expenditure on backdating has been estimated using information on average awards and backdating periods. Backdating periods have been estimated by comparing information on the date entitlement starts and (the date pension credit is put into payment. In some cases where payment starts after entitlement the delay will be due to processing times, evidence gathering and verification work which routinely accompanies claims for pension credit. In 2006-07 around 60 per cent. of all successful new claims were backdated for three months or less (this includes cases with zero backdating). The information that is available is in the following table.
	
		
			  Expenditure on pension credit backdating 
			   Total expenditure (£ million) 
			 2003-04 (October to March) 80 
			 2004-05 330 
			 2005-06 190 
			 2006-07 150 
			  Notes: 1. Care should be taken when interpreting the table. The Department does not routinely collect information on expenditure on backdated payments and it has been estimated using information on average awards and backdating periods. Backdating periods have been estimated by comparing information on the date entitlement starts and the date pension credit is put into payment. Estimated backdating periods therefore include unknown periods of time that are due to processing, evidence gathering and verification work which routinely accompany every claim for pension credit. 2. All figures are consistent with the 2008 Budget Report.  3. Estimates are rounded to the nearest £10 million. 4. Pension credit was introduced in October 2003, so expenditure figures are only available from this date.  Source: Experimental Statistics of Pension Credit on flows and DWP Accounting Systems

Pension Credit

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of pension credit claimants who will be affected by the change in the limit on backdating claims for pension credit from 12 to three months; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 May 2008,  Official Report, column 1700W, to the hon. Member for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey (Danny Alexander).

Pension Credit

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the savings to his Department from changes to the backdating of pension credit from 12 to three months in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green (Lynne Featherstone) on 21 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 862-63W.

Pension Credit

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of pension credit recipients received backdated payments  (a) in total and  (b) for a period covering (i) up to three months, (ii) between three and six months and (iii) between six and 12 months, broken down by (A) guarantee credit and (B) savings credit in each of the last five financial years; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The information is not available in the format requested. Precise information on the time customers take to claim pension credit (known as backdating) is not routinely collected. The information in the following table estimates the possible maximum extent of backdating by examining the difference between the date of first payment and date at which entitlement begins. In some cases where payment starts after entitlement the delay will be due to processing times, evidence gathering and verification work which routinely accompanies claims for pension credit.
	
		
			  Estimates of the number of claims for pension credit guarantee credit (GC) and pension credit savings credit (SC) by backdating period between 2003 and 2006 
			  Thousand 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006 
			  Months  GC  SC  GC  SC  GC  SC  GC  SC 
			 0 to 3 months 1,890 1,610 150 70 130 60 140 50 
			 3 to 6 months 70 140 60 120 10 10 20 10 
			 6 to 12 months — — 130 270 60 110 40 70 
			 Total inflows 1,960 1,750 340 450 200 180 200 140 
		
	
	
		
			  Estimates of the proportion of claims for pension credit guarantee credit (GC) and pension credit savings credit (SC) by backdating period between 2003 and 2006 
			  To the nearest 5 per cent. 
			   2003  2004  2005  2006 
			  Months  GC  SC  GC  SC  GC  SC  GC  SC 
			 0 to 3 months 95 90 45 15 65 30 70 40 
			 3 to 6 months 5 10 20 25 5 10 10 10 
			 6 to 12 months — — 35 60 25 60 20 50 
			  Notes:  1. Estimates of the number of guarantee credit and savings credit claims by length of backdating cannot be added together to obtain total pension credit claims by length of backdating because some households receive both guarantee credit and savings credit.  2. Estimates of the number of claims by length of backdating period have been rounded to the nearest 10,000 cases.  3. Estimates of the number of claims backdated as a percentage of annual onflows have been rounded to the nearest 5 percentage points.  4. Care should be taken when interpreting the table. The Department does not routinely collect information on backdating periods and these have been estimated by comparing information on the date entitlement starts and the date pension credit is put into payment. Estimated backdating periods therefore include unknown periods of time that are due to processing, evidence gathering and verification work which routinely accompany every claim for pension credit.  5. Pension credit was introduced in October 2003. About 1.8 million minimum income guarantee cases were transferred to pension credit at this time which explains the large number of on flows in 2003.  6. Estimates cover financial years for example April 2006 to March 2007, with the exception of 2003, which covers October 2003 to March 2004.  7. Estimates for 2007 have not been included as data are available only for the first quarter of that year.  8. Due to rounding the numbers of successful claims by period of backdating may not sum to the total number of successful claims.  9. Due to rounding the percentage of onflows by period of backdating may not sum to 100 per cent.  10. Onflows measure the total number of spells on benefit that commenced within a quarter. They do not include flows where people have moved out of one geographical area and into another while remaining on the benefit.  11. Estimates of the number of claims backdated 0 to 3 months include those with zero backdating.   Source:  Experimental Statistics of Pension Credit on flows.

Pension Credit

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average sum received in backdated pension credit was  (a) in total and  (b) per month for pension credit recipients who received backdated payments for a period covering (i) up to three months, (ii) between three and six months and (iii) between six and 12 months in each of the last five financial years; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Precise information on the time customers take to claim pension credit (known as backdating) is not routinely collected. Backdating periods have been estimated by comparing information on the date entitlement starts and the date pension credit is put into payment. In some cases where payment starts after entitlement the delay will be due to processing times, evidence gathering and verification work which routinely accompanies claims for pension credit. In 2006-07 around 60 per cent. of all successful new claims were backdated for three months or less (this includes cases with zero backdating).
	The information that is available is in the following table.
	
		
			  Estimates of the average total amount of pension credit backdated by period of backdating ,  2003 - 06 
			  £ 
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 0-3 months 100 200 200 200 
			 3-6 months 300 500 650 700 
			 6-12 months — 850 1,150 1,350 
			 All backdating 200 600 700 700 
			  Notes:  1. Estimates of the average amount of backdated pension credit have been rounded to the nearest £50.  2. Care should be taken when interpreting the table. The Department only holds information on the date entitlement starts and the date pension credit is put into payment. The length of backdating period has been estimated by comparing these dates. Estimated backdated periods therefore include processing times, evidence gathering and verification work which routinely accompany every claim for pension credit.  3. Estimates exclude cases where pension credit was not backdated.  4. Pension credit was introduced in October 2003.  5. Estimates cover financial years, for example April 2006 to March 2007, with the exception of 2003, which covers October 2003 to March 2004.  6. Estimates for 2007 have not been included as data is available only for the first quarter of that year.  7. On-flows measure the total number of spells on benefit that commenced within a quarter. They do not include flows where people have moved out of one geographical area and into another while remaining on the benefit.   Source:  Experimental statistics of pension credit on flows.

Post Office Card Account

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions with reference to his letter of 9 July to the right hon. Member for Tonbridge and Malling what  (a) EU and  (b) UK legislation creates a legal requirement for a competitive tender to be held for the successor to the current Post Office card account.

Stephen Timms: holding answer  10  September 2008
	The legislation that creates a legal requirement for a competitive tender to be held for the successor to the current Post Office card account is EU Directive 2004/18/EC, enacted in the UK as "The Public Contracts Regulations 2006".

Post Office Card Account: Sandwell

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what percentage of state benefits were paid into Post Office card accounts in Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council area in the last year for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 10 September 2008
	As at March 2008, around 32,000 state benefit and pension payments were being made into Post Office card accounts in Sandwell metropolitan borough council area. This represents around 27 per cent. of all state benefit and pension payments made.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what research his Department has undertaken into the relationship between alcohol pricing and problem drinking.

Gareth Thomas: None. The Department of Health has, however, commissioned a review of the relationship between alcohol pricing and alcohol consumption and harm. The findings of the first phase of that review were published alongside the Department of Health's consultation document on further action in respect of the national alcohol strategy. Both documents can be found on the Department of Health's website at:
	http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Alcoholmisuse/indexhtm.

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what advice he has received on the compliance with  (a) UK and  (b) EU competition law of minimum pricing for a unit of alcohol.

Gareth Thomas: In considering possible measures aimed at reducing alcohol related harms, the Government are taking account of the need to ensure any such measures are compatible with UK and EU law.

Alcoholic Drinks: Prices

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what research his Department has undertaken into the effects that minimum pricing of alcohol would have on people on low incomes who drink responsibly.

Gareth Thomas: In considering possible measures aimed at tackling alcohol related harms, the Government are, of course, taking account of the likely impact of such measures and would consult publicly before taking decisions on any detailed proposals in this area.

Biofuels

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many  (a) domestic and  (b) non-domestic biomass installations there are.

Malcolm Wicks: There is no comprehensive listing of the number of installations due to the range and diversity of biomass use and applications. However the best data available for biomass power generation come from the renewables obligation certificate (ROC) database compiled by Ofgem and available from Ofgem's renewables obligation (RO) website at
	http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Sustainability/Environmnt/RenewablStat/Pages/RenewablStat.aspx
	Biomass projects extracted from the ROC list are as follows. These tables do not, however, include sewage gas and landfill gas operations, nor those installations not claiming ROCs.
	 Power generation plants
	
		
			  Table 1: Electricity production from stand-alone conventional biomass combustion 
			  Plant name  Installed capacity (kW)  Generation in 2006 (MWh) 
			 Genny 8 0 
			 Bioflame 600 0 
			 Chestnut Bio Power Ltd (formerly: Ecoenergy Ltd) 980 0 
			 Eccleshall Biomass 2,645 0 
			 Elean Business Park 36,850 216,112 
			 Eye Power Station(Fibropower) 14,316 82,999 
			 Fawley Waste to Energy Plant(1) 8,600 32,926 
			 Glanford Power Station (Fibrogen) 16,700 78,788 
			 Knypersley Renewable Generator 7,200 0 
			 Longma Thorn 400 119 
			 LPL—Hockwold 400 0 
			 Mossborough Hall Farm 300 0 
			 Thetford Power Station 41,500 199,763 
			 Wilton 10 Biomass Gen station 35,220 0 
			
			 Total 165,719 610,707 
		
	
	
		
			  Table2: Electricity production from biomass and waste using anaerobic digestion 
			  Plant name  Installed capacity (kW)  Generation in 2006 (MWh) 
			 Bedfordia Biogas Ltd (Twinwoods) 786 584 
			 Biogas Engine, Mauri Products Ltd 850 728 
			 Holsworthy Biogas Company Project 2,696 9,453 
			 Little Woolden Hall Farm 85 19 
			 South Shropshire Biowaste Digester 200 24 
			 Twyford Power Station 250 0 
			 Wanlip AD Plant 1,434 1,224 
			
			 Total 6,301 12,032 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3: Electricity production from co-firing biomass with fossil fuel 
			  Plant name  Installed capacity (kW)( 2)  Generation in 2006 (MWha) 
			 Aberthaw B Power Station, nr Cardiff 1,552,500 78,494 
			 Alcan Lynmouth Power Station 420,000 2,026 
			 Cottam Power Station(2) 2,000,000 97,765 
			 Didcot 'A' Power Station 2,100,000 114,896 
			 Drakelow Power Station 333,000 0 
			 Drax Power Station* 4,065,000 63,582 
			 Eggborough Power Limited 1,062,000 161,953 
			 Ferrybridge C Power Station 200,000 343,048 
			 Fibrepower (Slough)(2) 12,000 40,628 
			 Fiddler's Ferry Power Station 1,995,000 271,400 
			 Glanford Brigg Power Station 272,000 0 
			 Ironbridge Power Station 970,000 28,668 
			 Kingsnorth Power Station 2,034,000 221,811 
			 Ratcliffe-On-Soar Power Station 2,034,000 0 
			 Tilbury Power Station 1,085,000 61,351 
			 Uskmouth Power Plant 393,000 0 
			 West Burton Power Station 2,000,000 48,338 
			 Rugeley B, Staffs 50,000 0 
			
			 Total 19,496,000 1,533,960 
			 (1) The maximum percentage of co-fired ROCs that a supplier can present against its obligation was reduced from 25 per cent. in 2005-06 to 10 per cent. in 2006-07. This lead to a reduction of almost a factor of 2 in the number of co-firing ROCs presented in 2006-07. (2) Capacities are for the whole power station, not just the part that co-fires biomass. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 4: Electricity from industrial CHP 
			  Plant name  Installed  capacity (kW)  Generation in 2006 (MWh) 
			 Goosey Lodge Power Plant 16,000 82,092 
			 Old Manor House 100 4 
			 PDM Group Widnes 9,500 34,048 
			 UPM Shotton Paper Boiler 7 19,655 14,407 
			 Slough Electricity Contracts Ltd 35,000 166,148 
			 Weston Industrial Estate 500 0 
			 Buckland Down, Somerset 7,000 0 
			
			 Total 87,755 296,699 
		
	
	Overall figures for the actual usage of bioenergy in the UK are available from the Digest of UK Energy Statistics on the website at
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/statistics/source/renewables/page18513.html.
	Data for 2007 will be published on 31 July 2008.
	The low carbon buildings programme also has information on the grants it has given (which include biomass) at
	www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/info/stats/
	For further general information on biomass activity in the UK
	 Carbon Trust
	Biomass Accelerator:
	http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/NR/rdonlyres/B997E80E-CB94-4B75-BF46-ECEBEBFB948A/0/AllEnergy_May07.pdf
	Biomass Review (dated 2005):
	http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/publications/publicationdetail?productid=CTC512
	 Energy Saving Trust (EST)
	Suppliers and products (available through Government grant schemes):
	http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/generate_your_own_energy/types_of_renewables/biomass/

British Wind Energy Association: Finance

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much the British Wind Energy Association received from the public purse in each of the last five years.

Malcolm Wicks: The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) is a non-governmental trade association funded by its membership.
	The Department does not hold records of funding by other Government Departments of the BWEA's activities.
	The BWEA has won several contracts for work tendered by this Department. The Department has also co-funded a number of projects undertaken by the BWEA.
	The total funding in each financial year from 2003-04 onwards is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Financial year( 1)  Contribution (£) 
			 2008-09 0 
			 2007-08 35,000.00 
			 2006-07 34,115.88 
			 2005-06 51,000.00 
			 2004-05 170,825.00 
			 2003-04 25,215.00 
			 (1) In some cases payments made in one financial year may relate to activities undertaken in another financial year.

Broadband

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent discussions he has had with telecommunication providers on the delivery of broadband services to remote parts of the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had meetings with telecoms companies including BT, Virgin Media and Sky in recent months, when the subject of broadband was discussed and where rural broadband supply was part, but not the exclusive subject of those discussions.

Bromine

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he last met representatives of the bromine industry.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 July 2008
	 There have been no recent meetings between the bromine industry and BERR Ministers.

Business: Females

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps he has taken to provide support for black and ethnic minority women entrepreneurs.

Patrick McFadden: The Enterprise Strategy, published in March 2008 as part of the Budget, recognises the important role that all women can play in driving up enterprise activity in the UK and has proposed a number of measures that will support women entrepreneurs, including those from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, and provide them with the knowledge and skills that will allow them to see enterprise and business ownership as open to them. Those measures include provision for £12.5 million of Government capital through a women's investment fund; women's business centre pilots; enhanced mentoring support; a new national enterprise centre of expertise; and activity aimed at opening up procurement opportunities to women owned businesses.
	In addition, in June 2007, the Government announced the launch of the Ethnic Minority Business Task Force. As well as making recommendations to Government on the further development of policy, the task force will help to foster growth among ethnic minority firms and boost economic participation by ethnic minority entrepreneurs.

Carbon Emissions: Energy

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of progress made by UK energy companies in reducing their carbon dioxide emissions.

Malcolm Wicks: Information on carbon dioxide emissions from the UK energy supply sector are published annually by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on their website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/globatmos/gagccukem.htm.
	The latest available data relate to the calendar year 2006, and they show that emissions from this sector were 220.835 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, which represents a reduction of 8.9 per cent. since 1990. The energy supply sector accounts for 39.7 per cent. of all carbon dioxide emissions in the UK.

Carbon Sequestration

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions his Department has had with other EU Governments on development of carbon capture storage policy; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I have had many discussions with other EU Governments on the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) policy.
	EU leaders have recognised the potential of CCS and at the Spring Council 2007 agreed to bring about the necessary technical, economic and regulatory framework to bring environmentally safe CCS to markets, by 2020 if possible. This included an ambition for up to 12 demonstration projects by 2015. The UK Government are strongly committed to working with the EU partners to support these aspirations.

Carbon Sequestration

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps his Department is  (a) taking and  (b) planning to take to encourage greater international collaboration in relation to carbon capture and storage technologies; what steps he plans to take to encourage other countries to establish carbon capture and storage initiatives; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department undertakes a number of activities aimed at fostering greater international collaboration in relation to carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies and encouraging other countries to establish carbon capture and storage initiatives. These include:
	Active membership of multilateral organisations dedicated to making rapid progress towards deployment of CCS, including the International Energy Agency's Greenhouse Gas and Clean Coal programmes and their Working Party on Fossil Fuels, and the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF).
	Founder member, with Norway, of the North Sea Basin Task Force (now including Germany and the Netherlands) which aims to develop common principles that could form a basis for regulating the storage of CO2 in the North sea.
	Funding, in partnership with DEFRA, the Phase 1 assessment of the wider EU-China Near-Zero Emissions Coal agreement signed in 2005, which has the objective of commercial demonstration of CCS for coal fired power generation in China by 2020.
	Bilateral work with several countries (including the US, Australia, Canada, France, India) to undertake various activities to promote the deployment of CCS.
	Specific actions undertaken by the Department, outside of the above activities, in recent months to promote CCS technologies internationally include:
	A significant lobbying exercise to push for ambitious wording in the G8 Energy Ministers most recent statement, including supporting the recommendation from the International Energy Agency that 20 CCS demonstration projects should be launched globally by 2010.
	Announcing our intention to host, in autumn 2009, the next CSLF ministerial conferencethis conference will help to deliver renewed momentum in the move towards commercially deployable CCS technologies through the only international forum dedicated to promoting them.
	Lobbying for agreement at the June European Council for the European Commission to be directed to bring forward as soon as possible a financial mechanism to incentivise the construction and operation of up to 12 demonstration projects by 2015.
	Working closely with the European Commission and other member states to ensure the quick agreement of the draft directive on the geological storage of carbon dioxide.
	Lobbying key countries in relation to the inclusion of CCS in the Clean Development Mechanism.
	We will continue to build on this activity and our multi-lateral and bilateral links over the coming months to promote greater international collaboration on CCS, encouraging other countries to make strong commitments to CCS initiatives along the lines of those by the UK Government, including support for demonstration projects.

Carbon Sequestration

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will place in the public domain the report of the consulting engineers on the feasibility of a UK-based carbon capture and storage demonstration plant pre-Budget report of 2006.

Malcolm Wicks: The report announced in the 2006 pre-Budget report was commissioned to ensure that our understanding of the costs of a CCS plant based in the UK was robust before taking a decision on whether to support such a project. The evidence in the report is taken from several companies who were considering CCS projects, is commercially sensitive and subject to confidentiality agreements, which means that it would not be appropriate to publish the report.

Carers: Finance

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to paragraph 3.11 in the Carers at the Heart of 21st-century families and communities report, how much of the 150 million funding for breaks for carers of disabled children his Department will provide in each of the next two years.

Patrick McFadden: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State with responsibilty for care services on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1087W.

Climate Change: International Cooperation

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, how the Government plan to take forward the commitment to work through the G8 on  (a) climate change mitigation-related technology co-operation strategies,  (b) the promotion of the exchange of mitigation information and analysis on sectoral efficiency and  (c) the identification of national technology needs and voluntary, action-oriented international co-operation, as set out in the G8 declaration on Energy Security and Climate Change of 9 July; and what additional resources will be made available for these purposes.

Malcolm Wicks: We are working with Japan, other G8 countries and the International Energy Agency (IEA) to take forward the G8 commitments. These cover: (i) an international initiative on energy technology research and development; (ii) further IEA analysis of sectoral efficiency; and (iii) the first meeting of the International Partnership on Energy Efficiency Co-operation, which will look at increasing efficiency in key sectors. The International Energy Agency is currently drawing up a programme of work to support the G8 agreement. In addition, Japan will host a G8 Energy Forum in the autumn which will focus on energy efficiency and international co-operation on low carbon, energy technologies.

Coal

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has for expenditure on clean coal technology over the next 10 years.

Malcolm Wicks: In November 2007 the Government announced a competition for one of the world's first commercial-scale demonstrations of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology on a coal fired power plant. The project is scheduled to start operation in 2014. BERR is also committed to spending 2.2 million on the development of an Oxy-Fuel Combustion (CO2 capture) demonstration system during 2008 to 2010, and a programme of support for CCS is under consideration by the Energy Technologies Institute.
	The Government announced in the 2008 Budget that a new call for project proposals will be made shortly under the Environmental Transformation Fund. This will include support for the development of component parts of Carbon Capture and Storage and for other carbon abatement technologies.
	In addition clean coal technology research and development continues to be supported under the Research Councils' Energy Programme and the Technology Strategy Board's Technology Programme. Public sector funding for the Research Councils and the Technology Strategy Board is provided by the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills.

Coal Fired Power Stations: Kingsnorth

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what fuel oil grade will be used to fire the two 50MW gas turbines at the proposed coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth;
	(2)  whether the proposed two 50MW oil-fired gas turbines proposed at the new coal-fired power station at Kingsnorth will be run as a high demand top-up for the grid.

Malcolm Wicks: The turbines would be for black start purposes only and would be fuelled by light fuel oil which is a blend of heavy fuel oil and gas oil to British Standard 2869 class D/DIN51603.

Companies

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many companies removed from  (a) the Register of Companies in England and Wales and  (b) the Register of Companies in Scotland by Companies House in 2007 had (i) not previously filed a set of accounts and (ii) accounts overdue at the time of their removal; and how many of those with accounts overdue had (A) one, (B) two and (C) three sets of accounts overdue.

Gareth Thomas: This information is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Companies Investigation Branch

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will ask his Department's Companies Investigation Branch to enquire of liquidators Moore Stephens of Stoke-on-Trent as to the reasons why no Statement of Affairs has been filed at Companies House in respect of the liquidation of Pubscene Limited.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 18 May 2008
	Pubscene Limited went into compulsory liquidation on 23 September 2003, and the Official Receiver became liquidator of the company on the making of the winding-up order. From information currently available, it appears the Official Receiver exercised his discretion not to require a formal Statement of Affairs to be submitted by the directors of the company. In cases where the Official Receiver requires a formal Statement of Affairs, the legislation provides that the Statement be filed at Court and not at Companies House.
	On 3 November 2003, the Secretary of State appointed an insolvency practitioner, Mr. Abdulali of Moore Stephens as liquidator of the company. There are no provisions in insolvency legislation providing for liquidators in compulsory liquidations, other than the Official Receiver, to obtain and file information by way of a formal Statement of Affairs.

Companies Investigations Branch

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many investigations the Companies Investigations Branch  (a) began and  (b) completed in each of the last 10 years; and what proportion led to (i) prosecution and (ii) conviction.

Patrick McFadden: An investigation is a fact-finding exercise. It may show that there has been no irregularity or malpractice in which case the process ends. In many cases, however, information obtained during an inquiry is a basis for further action, either by BERR or by others. This may take the form of a winding-up of the company, prosecution, directors' disqualification or some form of regulatory action. In order to provide a more complete picture of the results of CIB investigations I have included the number of winding-up orders obtained and the number of directors disqualified.
	Figures are not separately available in respect of prosecutions and convictions following a CIB investigation. Information from a CIB investigation which may lead to a criminal prosecution may be passed to BERR Legal Services for action; if successful the resulting prosecutions and convictions are included with the figures for the Insolvency Service. However, BERR is only one of a number of investigatory and enforcement bodies and the reports of CIB investigators may also lead to prosecutions by other prosecuting authorities for example the Serious Fraud Office.
	I would add that the information that the hon. Member requests has been published on an annual basis in a report to Parliament entitled Companies in (year) until 2006-07 since when it has been published in the Annual Report and Accounts of the Insolvency Service.
	
		
			  Companies Investigation Branch investigations 
			   Investigations begun  Investigations completed  Companies wound up  Directors disqualified 
			 1998-99 220 228 42 20 
			 1999-2000 209 183 42 37 
			 2000-01 175 183 46 17 
			 2001-02 160 158 71 16 
			 2002-03 419 (1)359 80 17 
			 2003-04 200 197 (2)387 19 
			 2004-05 171 174 107 38 
			 2005-06 180 162 121 26 
			 2006-07 219 174 95 21 
			 2007-08 212 193 182 27 
			 (1) The number of investigations in 2002-03 includes 289 companies linked to two specific investigations. (2) The number of winding-up in 2003-04 includes 289 companies linked to two specific investigations.

Departmental Alcoholic Drinks

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what measures are in place in his Department to monitor expenditure on alcohol for hospitality purposes.

Gareth Thomas: There are therefore currently no extra, specific measures in place to monitor expenditure on alcohol for hospitality purposes. The Department operates within a set framework of rules governing official hospitality; these limit the occasions for which it is deemed appropriate to include alcohol.

Departmental Alcoholic Drinks

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what purchasing process is used by his Department for the procurement of alcohol for hospitality purposes.

Gareth Thomas: The Department does not have a separate process for the purchase of alcohol for hospitality purposes. All BERR spending must comply with Departmental and wider Government guidance on public spending.

Departmental Buildings

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what account his Department takes of the level of energy efficiency of buildings before entering into agreements to  (a) rent and  (b) purchase those buildings.

Gareth Thomas: The Department would seek to acquire only buildings with an excellent BREEAM (building research establishment environmental assessment method) rating where it is unable to re-use vacant Government property.

Departmental Consultants

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much was paid to outside consultants used by his Department or its predecessor in each year since 2000.

Gareth Thomas: Central records indicate that the cost to the Department of engaging outside consultants in each of the following financial years has been:
	
		
			million 
			 2000-01 21 
			 2001-02 36 
			 2002-03 93 
			 2003-04 112 
			 2004-05 86 
			 2005-06 53.6 
			 2006-07 40.3 
			 2007-08 26 
			 2008-09 (1)1 
			 (1) To date. 
		
	
	The Department has a formalised business case approval process for proposed consultancy engagements. This has been in operation for two years. We have worked closely with OGC in formulating the cross-Government Consultancy Value Programme (CVP) and look forward to furthering this important initiative.

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many  (a) officials in his Department and  (b) employees of (i) agencies and (ii) other bodies reporting to his Department were (A) dismissed and (B) disciplined for matters related to their conduct in the last two years.

Gareth Thomas: The number of employees disciplined or dismissed within the Department or its predecessor during 2006 and 2007 are set out in table 1 as follows.
	
		
			  Table 1 
			   2006  2007 
			 Disciplinary cases raised 42 42 
			 Disciplinary dismissals 7 9 
			 Other disciplinary penalties 22 26 
		
	
	Information regarding non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	I have asked the Chief Executives of Companies House and Insolvency Service to write direct with information covering their Agencies.
	 Letter f rom Stephen Speed , dated 21 July 2008:
	The Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has asked me to reply to you directly in respect of your question (2007/3400) asking how many staff have: (i) been dismissed and (ii) been disciplined for matters relating to their conduct in the last two years.
	There have been a total of:
	i. 5 members of staff dismissed and.
	ii. 7 members of staff disciplined
	for matters relating to their conduct.
	 Letter  from Gareth Jones , dated 21 July 2008:
	I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
	In the last two years four employees were dismissed and twenty-two staff were disciplined for matters relating to their conduct.

Departmental Equality

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what progress his Department has made towards its diversity targets for 2008.

Gareth Thomas: At 1 April 2008, the Department had made the following progress towards meeting diversity targets.
	
		
			   Overall civil service target for April 2008  (percentage)  BERR target for April 2008  (percentage)  Actual at April 2008  percentage  Difference to civil service target 
			 Women in senior civil service 37 37 37 0 (met) 
			 Women in top management posts 30 35 30 0 (met) 
			 Black and minority ethnic staff in senior civil service 4 8 4 0 (met) 
			 Staff with disabilities in senior civil service 3.2 4.7 5 +2 (exceeded) 
			 Band C (feeder grades) women No targets set 30 39 Exceeded BERR target 
			 Band C (feeder grades) BME No targets set 7 7 Met BERR target 
			 Band C (feeder grades) disabled No targets set No targets set 6

Departmental ICT

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many of his Department's staff have access to the Department's IT infrastructure at home.

Gareth Thomas: There are 595 members of staff with laptops specially configured for access to the Departments infrastructure.
	There are 800 with tokens that allow them access to the Department's infrastructure from their home PCs.
	There are 320 with BlackBerrys that allow access to the Department's e-mail and calendar service.
	All devices supplied by the Department that can hold departmental information are encrypted. All the services that access the Department's infrastructure are authenticated and utilise encrypted communications links.

Departmental ICT

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what information technology projects initiated by his Department and its predecessors have been cancelled prior to completion in the last five years; and what the cost of each such project was to the public purse.

Gareth Thomas: The Department and its predecessors have not cancelled any information technology projects prior to completion in the last five years.

Departmental Official Cars

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which make and model of car he has chosen as his ministerial car to be provided by the Government Car and Despatch Agency.

Gareth Thomas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 16 July 2008 by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Department for Transport,  Official Report, column 414W.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department and its agencies spent on entertainment in each financial year since its establishment.

Gareth Thomas: The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and, prior to April 2007, its predecessor, the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI), ensures that all expenditure on entertainment and hospitality is incurred in accordance with the principles of Managing Public Money and the Treasury handbook on Regularity and Propriety.
	The figures in the tables are from 2002-3 to 2007-8 (figures prior to 2002 are not readily available) and include both entertainment and official hospitality:
	
		
			   
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Department of Trade and Industry 903,120 917,073 1,487,920 1,451,062 908,603 
			 UK Trade and Investment 218,844 205,798 292,166 239,858 207,185 
			 Insolvency Service 7,826 6,853 6,349 9,497 4,329 
			 Arbitration and Conciliation Service 0 0 0 189,086 213,618 
			 Total 1,137,031 1,144,144 1,797,197 1,895,225 1,333,735 
		
	
	
		
			  2007-08 () 
			 Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 805,024 
			 UK Trade and Investment 195,305 
			 Insolvency Service 265 
			 Arbitration and Conciliation Service 196,043 
			 Total 1,196,637 
			  Note: Expenditure has reduced across the period. The reason for the apparently higher spend in 2004-05 and 2005-06 is that for those years all catering provided for events held in DTI's conference centre were booked to Entertainment rather than other more appropriate codes. 
		
	
	 Letter to Mr. Philip Hammond from Stephen Speed dated 15 September:
	The Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has asked me to reply to your question how much his Department and its agencies spent on entertainment in each financial year since its establishment.
	The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform reported in answer to PQ 2007-1522 that 4,328.55 was spent on Entertainment in the 2006-07 Financial Year. Expenditure on Entertainment in 2007-08 was 264.76. Spend on Entertainment in the first three months of 2008-09 was 901.62.
	 Letter to Mr. Philip Hammond from Tim Moss dated 15 September:
	I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
	The figures given below and overleaf are from 2002-3 to 2007-8 (figures prior to 2002 are not readily available) and include both entertainment and official hospitality:
	
		
			   
			 2002-3 1,756 
			 2003-4 1,861 
			 2004-5 1,963 
			 2005-6 2,507 
			 2006-7 2,218 
			 2007-8 2,369

Departmental Overtime

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many hours of overtime were worked by staff in each pay grade in his Department in each of the last 12 months.

Gareth Thomas: Staff of the Department worked a total of 49,273.8 hours overtime in the 12 months to June 2008 inclusive. A breakdown by grade and month can be found in the following table.
	
		
			   2007 
			  Grade  July  August  September  October  November  December 
			 Range 2 20.50 28.00 0.00 26.50 60.50 81.50 
			 Range 3 273.00 234.25 70.50 215.50 263.75 759.50 
			 Range 4 179.00 242.50 88.25 230.00 322.00 739.75 
			 Range 5 112.50 118.50 43.25 74.25 137.00 299.50 
			 Range 6 390.75 439.50 181.28 286.75 564.75 954.92 
			 Range 7 0.00 0.00 26.00 0.00 122.25 1,063.75 
			 Range 8 941.50 789.25 427.75 743.25 814.50 2,071.00 
			 Range 9 446.50 424.50 444.00 291.50 1,065.00 1,306.25 
			 Range 10 1,068.00 742.50 1,394.50 338.75 671.25 1,010.50 
			 Range 11 361.75 3.00 8.50 99.25 97.75 370.75 
			 JFS 232.00 61.75 143.50 91.25 333.00 189.25 
			 Total 4,025.50 3,083.75 2,827.53 2,397.00 4,451.75 8,846.67 
		
	
	
		
			   2008  
			  Grade  January  February  March  April  May  June  Total 
			 Range 2 23.25 25.00 28.00 43.50 39.00 31.25 407.00 
			 Range 3 217.25 247.75 199.00 249.00 212.00 232.75 3,174.25 
			 Range 4 175.77 144.47 180.53 122.50 146.52 205.72 2,777.01 
			 Range 5 210.00 144.25 125.75 148.50 118.00 269.75 1,801.25 
			 Range 6 446.50 410.50 544.30 586.00 523.00 490.95 5,819.20 
			 Range 7 72.25 427.60 4.00 31.00 56.25 44.75 1,847.85 
			 Range 8 811.33 812.88 913.40 1,379.40 745.08 1,320.81 11,770.15 
			 Range 9 389.00 463.00 621.25 348.50 255.25 215.25 6,270.00 
			 Range 10 842.13 575.25 423.25 870.67 423.37 484.00 8,844.17 
			 Range 11 178.25 185.75 163.00 259.17 91.50 120.75 1,939.42 
			 JFS 537.25 462.25 339.00 642.50 372.25 1,219.50 4,623.50 
			 Total 3,902.98 3,898.70 3,541.48 4,680.74 2,982.22 4,635.48 49,273.80

Departmental Overtime

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the cost of overtime payments paid to staff in his Department was in each of the last 12 months, broken down by pay grade.

Gareth Thomas: Staff of the Department were paid a total of 670,836.08 in overtime in the 12 months to June 2008 inclusive. A breakdown by grade and month can be found in the following table.
	
		
			   2007 
			  Range  July  August  September  October  November  December 
			 Range 2 245.48 335.30 0.00 335.63 785.93 328.04 
			 Range 3 3,727.95 3,141.56 874.35 2,928.89 3,478.60 3,217.83 
			 Range 4 2,357.52 3,529.53 1,349.48 2,939.58 4,871.84 3,856.18 
			 Range 5 1,301.64 1,449.31 686.03 864.84 1,540.17 1,297.10 
			 Range 6 5,298.10 5,458.11 2,967.08 4,201.23 7,604.15 4,087.14 
			 Range 7 0.00 0.00 635.80 0.00 4,324.20 2,819.89 
			 Range 8 17,467.88 14,441.15 9,736.05 14,208.66 15,079.82 14,446.63 
			 Range 9 8,976.75 10,428.14 9,139.30 6,420.23 9,155.73 5,739.44 
			 Range 10 19,969.29 11,999.67 4,668.14 6,543.40 11,741.16 4,876.90 
			 Range 11 9,391.83 81.88 295.28 2,674.63 2,616.81 5,169.49 
			 JFS 4,194.83 859.16 2,165.18 1,168.73 4,544.20 3,468.36 
			 Total 72,931.27 51,723.81 32,516.69 42,285.82 65,742.61 49,307.00 
		
	
	
		
			   2008  
			  Range  January  February  March  April  May  June  Total 
			 Range 2 290.57 308.18 356.47 544.02 480.76 385.23 4,395.61 
			 Range 3 2,951.10 3,370.07 2,650.77 3,458.73 2,845.42 3,188.23 35,833.50 
			 Range 4 2,620.84 1,906.52 2,694.75 1,882.06 2,164.77 2,706.44 32,879.51 
			 Range 5 1,639.62 1,756.13 1,472.37 1,800.10 1,417.85 1,882.52 17,107.68 
			 Range 6 6,386.88 5,459.65 6,683.82 7,362.86 6,729.96 7,387.37 69,626.35 
			 Range 7 1,839.21 944.40 63.75 512.00 1,246.64 1,170.35 13,556.24 
			 Range 8 14,418.54 14,626.49 17,278.61 23,780.55 13,742.51 20,318.84 189,545.73 
			 Range 9 7,620.51 6,240.13 12,200.45 7,060.67 5,067.22 3,935.59 91,984.16 
			 Range 10 8,156.08 9,507.15 8,555.75 13,660.95 9,036.47 4,932.90 113,647.86 
			 Range 11 5,094.99 4,458.99 3,872.64 6,892.15 2,902.64 3,385.93 46,837.26 
			 JFS 5,176.61 6,328.45 4,658.22 8,508.33 5,106.24 9,243.87 55,422.18 
			 Total 56,194.95 54,906.16 60,487.60 75,462.42 50,740.48 58,537.27 670,836.08

Departmental Paper

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what percentage of paper used  (a) for photocopying and  (b) in printed publications by his Department and its predecessor was from recycled sources in each of the last two years.

Gareth Thomas: The percentage of paper used by BERR and its predecessor from recycled sources over the last two years is as follows:
	 (a) Central Reprographics Service99 per cent.
	 (b) Printed publications produced through our Marketing Department95 per cent.
	(c) In the vast majority of cases, 100 per cent. recycled paper is used for any local copying undertaken by sections within BERR.

Departmental Pay

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many and what proportion of employees in his Department who received a performance-related bonus at their last appraisal were  (a) male,  (b) female,  (c) from an ethnic minority,  (d) disabled and  (e) not heterosexual; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: Reward arrangements below the senior civil service are delegated to individual Departments and agencies. For the senior civil service, Departments and agencies are responsible for their own reward arrangements within a framework set by Cabinet Office. The information available is set out in the following tables.
	
		
			  Table 1: Staff below SCS receiving performance related bonus payments in 2006-07 appraisal 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 Male 435 27 
			 Female 484 34 
			 Disabled 55 24 
			 Ethnic minority 87 24 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: SCS staff receiving performance related bonus payments in 2007 appraisal 
			   Number  Percentage 
			 Male 100 75 
			 Female 36 25 
			 Recorded disabled 6 4 
			 Recorded ethnic minority 5 4 
		
	
	Data linking sexual orientation to bonus payments are not available and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Pay

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much was claimed in reimbursable expenses by press officers in his Department and its agencies in each of the last three financial years.

Gareth Thomas: The information is as follows:
	
		
			  Press office travel and subsiste nce (TS) plus losses or compensation 
			  TS 
			  000 
			   UK  Overseas  Total 
			 2005-06 9 40 49 
			 2006-07 14 11 25 
			 2007-08 13 27 40 
		
	
	
		
			  Losses or compensation( 1) 
			
			 2005-06 n/k 
			 2006-07 n/k 
			 2007-08 110 
			 (1) Information only available by named recipients for 2007-08 
		
	
	 Conditions for Claiming TS
	When claims for travel expenses are made all staff members must:
	complete the appropriate form
	give full details of the journeys involved, including:
	route taken
	places visited
	the form of transport
	the time of travel
	support all claims with the relevant receipts, unless the cost was small and receipts were not provided
	include an explanatory note for any unusual expenditure
	make the claim promptly.
	Unreasonable claims and expenses that could have been avoided with better planning will not be reimbursed.
	If a false claim is knowingly made the staff member may face disciplinary action and even criminal proceedings.
	 Claims for loss or damage
	The Department may make a discretionary compensation payment if, in the course of official duty:
	non-luxury items of personal property are lost, damaged or stolen;
	items lost, stolen or damaged are not covered by insurance or subject to free replacement;
	there is no evidence that actions to prevent the loss, theft or damage could have been taken.
	Any compensation paid would be limited to the cost of replacing items stolen or lost, less an appropriate amount for depreciation, or the full cost of repair, where relevant, for items damaged.
	The aforementioned conditions apply equally if overseas or on short term visits and during transit to and from the country being visited.
	 Letter from Graham Horne, dated 22 July 2008:
	The Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has asked me to reply to your question how much was claimed in reimbursable expenses by press officers in his Department and its agencies in each of the last three financial years 2007/3583.
	The Insolvency Service Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform made no payments to press officers for reimbursable expenses in each of the last three financial years.
	 Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 22 July 2008:
	I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
	The amounts paid in reimbursable expenses to press office staff in the last three financial years is as follows:
	
		
			
			 2005-06 0 
			 2006-07 447 
			 2007-08 367

Departmental Postal Services

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps his Department has taken to monitor the cost of its mail services in the last 12 months.

Gareth Thomas: The Department continuously monitors the costs of mail services on its HQ Estate to ensure value for money. Information is recorded on a monthly basis on volumes of mail sent/received and the costs involved. BERR is a relatively 'low volume' sender of small mail items and currently uses Royal Mail for its standard 1(st) and 2(nd) class mail deliveries. BERR policy is that all mail is sent 2(nd) class unless there is a business need for use of 1(st) class delivery.

Departmental Procurement

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his Department's policy is on requesting discounts from its suppliers in return for swift payment of invoices.

Gareth Thomas: The Department follows OGC best practice guidance in making payments to its suppliers within 30 days of a correctly submitted invoice. This is reflected in the provisions of our standard form of contract. The Department does not have a practice of requesting discounts in return for swift payment of invoices.
	The Department is subject to the provisions of the Late Payments of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 which provides suppliers with rights to claim interest on late payments of a commercial debt.

Departmental Public Buildings

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which organisations have received  (a) free and  (b) discounted room hire from his Department's agencies in each of the last five years; and what the commercial value of the discount was in each case.

Gareth Thomas: I have asked the chief executives of the Insolvency Service and Companies House agencies to respond to the hon. Member directly.
	 Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 21 July 2008:
	The Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has asked me to reply to you directly in respect of your question (2007/3592) asking which organisations have received (a) free and (b) discounted room hire from (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies in each of the last five years; and what the commercial value of the discount was in each case.
	The Insolvency Service has no record of providing free or discounted room hire to any other organisations in the last five years.
	 Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 28 July 2008:
	I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
	A record of organisations using Companies House's meetings rooms is not kept. However, in the past five years, other government departments, and external organisations for the benefit of Companies House staff, have been allowed to use meeting rooms at no charge. These have included the Welsh Assembly Government, various BERR departments and Benendon Healthcare. As a commercial value is not placed on the meetings rooms there were no discounts identified.

Departmental Public Buildings

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which organisations have received  (a) free and  (b) discounted room hire from his Department since its inception; and what the commercial value of the discount was in each case.

Gareth Thomas: It is not BERR policy to offer free or discounted room hire for any of its conference facilities on the main BERR estate.

Departmental Public Participation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what  (a) listening exercises and  (b) public forums his Department has held in each of the last two years; what the (i) purpose and (ii) cost was in each case; and who the private contractor was and how much it was paid in each case.

Gareth Thomas: Listening events, including public meetings are among the consultation methods that the Department uses in developing policythe standard method for formal consultation exercises being a written consultation document made available on the BERR website. Listening events may or may not be organised by private contractors.
	It would not be possible, except at disproportionate cost, to analyse all consultations by method used and extract costs relating specifically to listening events.

Departmental Public Participation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what  (a) reviews and  (b) public consultations have been initiated by his Department since 27 June 2007.

Gareth Thomas: The Department's Better Regulation Simplification Plan published in December 2007 followed a detailed review of the administrative burdens imposed by all the regulations for which BERR and its agencies are responsible.
	Our approach is to review regulation in line with the March 2008 White Paper Post-legislative scrutiny: the Government's Approach by the Office of the Leader of the House. In addition, the revised impact assessment process has increased the focus on post implementation reviews.
	All the Department's consultations are listed in the consultation index of its website at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/consultations/index.html

Departmental Responsibilities

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which projects his Department has commissioned from  (a) think tanks and  (b) charities in each of the last two years for which figures are available; what the aim of each project was; which think tank or charity was commissioned; and how much was paid.

Gareth Thomas: The amount of expenditure made by the Department for projects commissioned from think tanks and charities in each of the last two years is not available without disproportionate cost.

Departmental Sick Leave

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many staff in his Department and its predecessor have had five or more periods of sickness absence of less than five days in two or more of the last five years.

Gareth Thomas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 July 2008,  Official Report, column 921W: departmental sick leave.

Departmental Written Questions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how long on average his Department took to answer  (a) ordinary written and  (b) named day questions in each of the last three years.

Gareth Thomas: The information requested is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. However of 2,369 questions, tabled between November 2007 and June 2008, 80 per cent. of questions were answered within 10 sitting days.
	Named day figures for the same period show that of 529 tabled, 134 were answered on the date specified (25 per cent.). All other named day questions received a holding answer and 70 per cent. received a substantive reply within five sitting days.

Electricity Generation: Renewable Energy

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what proportion of electricity generated in  (a) Cornwall,  (b) the South West region and  (c) nationally comes from renewable sources.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department does not collect data at  (a) the county level for renewable generation. The Department publishes the annual Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) covering  (b) regional and  (c) national level statistics. For 2006, the last year for which data has been published, 4.6 per cent. (18,133.3 GWh) of electricity generated in the UK was from renewable sources. Of this, 797.4 GWh were generated in the South West region.

Electronics Industry

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of  (a) the number of semiconductor companies based in the UK and  (b) the number of people employed in the semiconductor industry.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 3 July 2008
	The Department has made no such estimate. However, according to the National Microelectronics Institute (NMI), there are 13 semiconductor manufacturing plants in the UK employing a total of approximately 4,700 people.

Energy: Manpower

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many of his Department's staff work on  (a) nuclear energy and  (b) combined heat and power issues.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 22 July 2008
	62 of the Department's staff work on nuclear energy. This includes legacy nuclear, nuclear non-proliferation, and new nuclear. Three work on combined heat and power, where the policy lead rests with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Exports

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his Department's budget will be for supporting UK companies in their exporting activities in each of the next five years, broken down by main category of expenditure.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 15 July 2008
	 The budgets for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) are agreed with HM Treasury on a three year spending cycle. The budgets agreed in the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 are drawn from three sources; UKTI's directly voted programme expenditure, and budgets delegated from UKTI's two parent departmentsThe Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The estimated budget for trade promotion/exporting across the sectors, from aerospace to water as bespoke support for individual companies and for groups of companies within particular sectors for 2008-09 is 242 million reducing to approximately 236 million by the end of the 2010-11 financial year, subject to UKTI's annual corporate planning and annual parliamentary approval.
	UKTI has not allocated any formal budgets beyond this time frame.

Exports: Middle East

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the value of goods exported from the UK to illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gareth Thomas: HM Revenue and Customs maintains records of UK exports to Israel and to the occupied Palestinian territories. However, no records are kept by HM Revenue and Customs of the final destination of these exports.

Fair Trade Initiative

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 18 February 2008,  Official Report, column 387W, on the Fairtrade initiative, what Fairtrade products are  (a) available for purchase at his Department's staff catering facilities and  (b) offered at official departmental meetings and engagements.

Gareth Thomas: Fair Trade products provided by the Department's contracted catering service provider from staff catering facilities include all coffee beans and filter coffee, standard tea bags, sugar sticks (brown and white), limited confectionery and a selection of biscuits. These are also supplied when ordered for meetings and other engagements.

Firearms: Exports

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what support his Department provides to UK companies who export sporting firearms.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 15 July 2008
	UK Trade and Investment is the organisation within the FCO and BERR that provides UK businesses with access to a range of information, advice and support to assist their efforts in overseas markets. Support is tailored specifically to individual company needs.
	However, there are no specific examples of UKTI helping exporters of sporting firearms.

Flexible Working

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  how many requests for flexible working by  (a) (i) mothers and (ii) fathers were refused by employers in each year since 2003 and  (b) carers were refused by employers in 2007;
	(2)  how many requests for flexible working by  (a) (i) mothers and (ii) fathers were accepted by employers in each year since 2003 and  (b) carers were accepted by employers in 2007.

Patrick McFadden: The following answer provides information on the number of requests for flexible working accepted or rejected by working parents by gender. The Department does not have the requested information for each year since 2003 and does not have evidence on the number of requests accepted or rejected by carers.
	The Department does periodically conduct a Work-Life Balance Employees' Survey.
	The last employee survey (Third Work Life Balance Employees' Survey) was conducted in 2006 (before the implementation of the extension of the right to request to carers therefore no evidence related to these requests is available).
	Across the survey as a whole, 17 per cent. of employees had made such a request. 22 per cent. of mothers said that they had made a request to change the way that they work in the past two years as compared to 14 per cent. of fathers.
	Data on acceptance and refusal rates are given in the following table; the numbers do not sum up to 100 per cent. because at the time of the survey some requests were awaiting decisions.
	
		
			   Percentage making a request  Percentage requests accepted by employer  Percentage requests refused by employer 
			 All 17 78 17 
			 Mothers 22 83 13 
			 Fathers 14 71 23 
		
	
	The Second Work-Life Balance Employees' Survey was carried in early 2003. Data on acceptance and refusal rates from requests made by mothers and fathers were not identified separately and so this information is not available.
	Data on acceptance and refusal rates are given in the table below; the numbers do not sum up to 100 per cent. because at the time of the survey some requests were awaiting decisions.
	
		
			   Percentage making a request  Percentage requests accepted by employer  Percentage requests refused by employer 
			 All 17 77 20 
			 Mothers 29   
			 Fathers 12

Flexible Working

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  how many working parents were  (a) eligible to request,  (b) asked for and  (c) were refused flexible work in the most recent year for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many employers  (a) were eligible to be asked to provide flexible working,  (b) were asked by an employee for flexible working arrangements and  (c) refused an employee's request to work flexibly in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Patrick McFadden: The following answer gives evidence on the number of parents eligible to request flexible working and the outcome of these requests, in addition we are also providing information related to employers receiving a request. We do not have information on the number of employers who are eligible to be asked to provide flexible working.
	Three surveys carried out by the Department provide evidence on the information requested.
	The Regulatory Impact Assessment carried out in 2002
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file11440.pdf
	estimated that, prior to the introduction of the right to request flexible working for parents of young and disabled children, 3.7 million employees would be entitled to make a request to work flexibly.
	Evidence on employees is provided by the Third Work-Life Balance Employees' Survey, conducted in 2006, which indicated that 17 per cent. of eligible working parents made requests to their employer for flexible working. Of these requests 78 per cent. were accepted, 17 per cent. were refused, while 5 per cent. were awaiting decisions at the time that the survey was conducted.
	Evidence on employers comes from the Third Work-Life Balance Survey of Employers conducted in 2007, which found that 40 per cent. of workplaces had received a request from an employee within the previous 12 months to work flexibly. The survey also found that 90 per cent. of employers had accepted all requests and 9 per cent. reported they had turned down at least one request.
	We do not have data on the number of employers who are eligible to be asked to provide flexible working.

Flexible Working: Tribunals

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many employment tribunal cases were brought successfully by  (a) (i) mothers and (ii) fathers in each year since 2003 and  (b) carers in 2007 against refusal of requests for flexible working; and what the average amount of compensation awarded was in each case.

Patrick McFadden: It is not possible to give a breakdown by mother, father or carer, of the numbers of claims on the grounds of refusal of request for flexible working as this would incur disproportionate cost.
	The amount of compensation awarded in flexible working claims is not recorded; the only jurisdictions where this is recorded are unfair dismissal and discrimination.

Fluoride

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent assessment he has made of the national demand for fluorspar of UK origin; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has not undertaken any independent assessment of the national demand for fluorspar of UK origin. I refer my hon. Friend to the recently published British Geological Survey open report OR/08/27 The Need for Indigenous Fluorspar Production in England, which is available online at
	http://www.bgs.ac.uk/mineralsuk/downloads/fluorspar_need_for_indigenous.pdf.

Fuel Poverty: Scotland

Charles Kennedy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the number of households in Scotland which were not in fuel poverty on 31 December 2007 but which will be by 31 December 2008.

Malcolm Wicks: Each country within the UK has separate reporting procedures for fuel poverty rates, as the question relates to Scotland only, the Scottish Executive would be wholly responsible for providing the information asked for.

Gambling: USA

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions he has had with  (a) his EU counterparts and  (b) European Commissioners on the conclusion of negotiations between the EC and the US on the US withdrawal from its gambling commitments in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the consequent compensatory adjustments offered by the US in the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 21 July 2008
	The UK remained in close contact with the US Administration, the European Commission, other EU member states and UK gambling interests throughout the negotiation of an agreed compensation package with the US.
	A final compensation package was agreed, between the EC and the US, in December 2007.

Government Communications

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many staff in  (a) his Department and (b) its agencies (i) are classified as Government communicators and (ii) have access to the Government Communication Network.

Gareth Thomas: As at July 31 2008 there were 60 staff working in the central communications directorate of BERR and there are 22 UK Trade and Investment staff in similar roles.
	There were, as of June 2008, a further 55 staff members, in the wider department, carrying out primarily communications roles.
	All civil servants who work in a communication role can access the GCN and the resource it provides.
	I have approached the Chief Executives of the Insolvency Service and Companies House agencies and they will respond the hon. Member directly.
	 Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 22 July 2008:
	The Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has asked me to reply to you directly on behalf of The Insolvency Services in respect of your question (2007/3218) asking how many staff in (a) his Department and (b) its agencies (i) are classified as Government communicators and (ii) have access to the Government Communication Network.
	The Insolvency Service has two members of staff classified as Government communicators with access to the Government Communications network.
	 Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 21 July 2008:
	I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
	Five Companies House staff are members of the Government Communication Network, and therefore classed as Government communicators. As members, they are the only staff with full access to the network.

Hazardous Substances: Textiles

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the Government's policy is on the possibility of extending the scope of the revised restriction of hazardous substances directive to include textiles.

Malcolm Wicks: The restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) directive is currently being reviewed by the European Commission, with a view to the tabling of proposals for a revised directive later in the year. There are, however, no plans or intention to broaden its scope beyond electrical and electronic equipment.

Homeworking

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform for what reasons the UK has not signed the International Labour Organisation Convention on Homework; if he will make it his policy to sign the Convention; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: The Government have taken measures which bring the UK closer to the principles articulated in the convention. For example, we have taken specific action to ensure homeworkers doing piecework receive at least the National Minimum Wage. Only five countries (Albania, Argentina, Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands) have ratified the convention.

Hydroelectric Power

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many small hydro schemes supplying electricity to buildings there are.

Malcolm Wicks: As part of a consortium of organisations including the microgeneration industry and energy NGOs, we commissioned research on the growth potential for microgeneration in England, Wales and Scotland, which included current levels of uptake. It found that there were an estimated 65-75 small hydro installations at the end of 2007 (less than 100 kW), although it did not estimate how many of these were supplying electricity to buildings.
	The research can be accessed at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/sustainable/micro generation/research/page38208.html

Imports: Israel

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the value of Israeli settlement produce entering the UK in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: No such records are kept by HM Revenue and Customs.

Imports: Israel

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether his Department maintains a record of produce from illegal Israeli settlements which is imported into the UK.

Gareth Thomas: No such records are kept by HM Revenue and Customs.

Imports: Israel

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will bring forward proposals to ban the sale of produce from illegal Israeli settlements in the UK.

Kim Howells: I have been asked to reply.
	The EU does not recognise settlements as part of Israel and does not accept goods from settlements as coming under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. The UK continues to work to ensure that settlement products are not imported as Israeli goods under the Preferential Trade Agreement.
	The Government currently have no plan to ban the sale of produce from illegal Israeli settlements.

Industry

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the six industries which make the largest contribution to GDP are in the UK.

Gareth Thomas: According to the latest ONS fully balanced national accounts, industry, for 2004, the six industry divisions that made the largest contribution to whole economy gross value added (GVA) at current prices were:
	
		
			  Industry division  Standard Industry Classification (SIC)  Percentage of total GVA in 2004 
			 Real estate activities 70 10.4 
			 Other business services (legal services, accountancy, advertising, architecture and engineering activities, industrial cleaning etc.) 74 9.3 
			 Health and social work 85 7.1 
			 Construction 45 6.0 
			 Education 80 5.8 
			 Banking services 65 5.6 
		
	
	It should be noted that the economic output of the 'real estate activities' division is largely accounted for by 'imputed rent of owner occupiers', which covers housing services produced by owner-occupiers for which they are deemed to pay for themselves. If this was excluded, then real estate activities would not feature in the top six. The industry division which produced the next highest percentage of total GVA in 2004 was retail distribution (SIC 52), at 5.2 per cent.
	The industries shown in the aforementioned table form a subset of industry divisions in the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system. The SIC is used to group businesses into industries for official statistical purposes, on the basis of the type of economic activity they undertake. It provides a framework for the collection, tabulation, presentation and analysis of data and its use promotes uniformity of definition. However, it is worth noting that while the SIC enables statistical comparison of industries, the details in this table, and comparisons of this nature in general, essentially reflect the degree of detail in which industries are defined for statistical purposes within the SIC system. Typically, there is less detail defined within the service sector than within manufacturing, for example, so service industries tend to look bigger for this somewhat artificial reason alone.

Members: Correspondence

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when the Minister of State for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs plans to respond to the letter from the right hon. Member for Birmingham, Ladywood of 8 May 2008 on the Post Office local pilot scheme.

Patrick McFadden: I apologise for the delay in responding to my right hon. Friend, this was due to an administrative error.
	I replied to my right hon. Friend on 3 July 2008.

Members: Correspondence

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform for what reasons he has not replied to the hon. Member for Weston-super-Mare's letters of 19 May and 18 June 2008 on behalf of his constituent Mr. Egbers.

Gareth Thomas: I apologise for the initial delay in responding to the hon. Member.
	I replied on 19 June 2008.

Microgeneration

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of potential levels of microgeneration in the UK using  (a) solar power and  (b) wind power in (i) 2010, (ii) 2015 and (iii) 2020.

Malcolm Wicks: BERR, as part of a consortium with other organisations, commissioned some research on the growth potential for microgeneration in England, Wales and Scotland. The study modelled the expected uptake of microgeneration technologies based on a variety of policy options. It found there were approximately 1,130 micro-wind turbines and 92,900 solar (PV and thermal) installations at the end of 2007. It suggested that with no additional policy support, there could be 3,500 micro-wind and 148,600 solar installations by 2015; and 8,700 micro-wind and 272,700 solar installations by 2020.
	The report can be viewed at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/sustainable/microgeneration/index.html
	Additional policy support, which we are consulting on as part of our Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation, could substantially raise these figures.

Minimum Wage

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the cost of the national minimum wage information tour bus initiative is, broken down by main budget heading.

Patrick McFadden: The national minimum wage outreach bus campaign is costing around 250,000. This includes the cost of the nine week bus tour. We expect to have reached 800,000 people directly through the bus itself, and many others through the media coverage the awareness campaign has attracted.

Motor Sports: Finance

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which successful bids for the Spring 2007 technology programme were linked to motor sports.

Malcolm Wicks: One successful bid under the Spring 2007 Collaborative Research and Development call of the Technology Programme was linked to motor sports. However, the details are commercial in confidence.

National Grid: Standards

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he plans to publish national grid's full report into the sequence of events and causes of the drops in system frequency on 27 May 2008.

Malcolm Wicks: The national grid has published a report into the events of 27 May 2008. This can be found on the national grid website at
	http://www.nationalgrid.com/NR/rdonlyres/D680C70A-F73D-4484-BA54-95656534B52D/26917/PublicReport Issuel.pdf.

Natural Gas: Prices

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the average cost of gas to  (a) domestic and  (b) commercial consumers in each of the last five years.

Malcolm Wicks: Domestic retail prices for gas are published quarterly in section 2 of Quarterly Energy Prices, the latest edition of which was published in June 2008 and is available online at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file46669.pdf.
	Table 2.3.1 on page 21 holds average gas bills, back to 1990, split by payment method.
	Table 3.4.1 on page 44 shows gas prices for non-domestic consumers split by consumption band. The Department does not hold any data on gas prices to commercial consumers.
	
		
			  Table 2.3.1 Average annual domestic gas bills by home and non-home supplier 
			   
			   Standard credit  Direct debit( 5)  Prepayment 
			   Home suppliers  Non-home suppliers  GB  Home suppliers  Non-home suppliers  GB  Home suppliers  Non-home suppliers  GB 
			 2002 326 273 310 295 258 281 327 327 327 
			 2003 335 289 320 302 275 292 335 343 336 
			 2004 344 309 333 317 296 309 355 342 351 
			 2005 402 354 386 364 338 353 406 387 401 
			 2006 510 427 474 453 400 424 515 467 498 
			 2007 569 531 552 499 496 497 602 570 589 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3.4.1 Prices of fuels purchased by non-domestic consumers in the United Kingdom (excluding the Climate Change Levy) 
			  Pence per kWh 
			2006  2007  2008 
			  Fuel  Size of consumer  1( st)  quarter  2( nd)  quarter  3( rd)  quarter  4( th)  quarter  1( st)  quarter  2( nd)  quarter  3( rd)  quarter  4( th)  quarter  1( st)  quarter 
			 Electricity Very Small 7.30 7.88 8.53 9.10 9.29 9.57 9.67 9.67 9.74 
			  Small 6.54 6.66 7.04 7.76 7.98 7.29 7.99 8.09 8.20 
			  Small/Medium 6.66 6.48 6.60 7.73 7.81 6.59 7.20 7.15 7.24 
			  Medium 5.98 5.91 5.85 6.97 7.09 6.23 6.26 6.32 6.36 
			  Large 5.88 5.65 5.68 6.56 6.77 5.74 5.92 6.01 r 6.28 
			  Very Large 5.00 5.01 5.03 5.49 5.93 5.62 5.63 5.81 r 6.46 
			  Extra Large 6.31 4.76 4.19 5.14r 5.65 
			  Average 6.09 6.10 6.24 7.03 7.11 6.49 6.63 6.82r 7.09 
			 Gas Very Small 2.367 2.173 2.442 2.641 2.843 2.621 2.580 2.651 2.998 
			  Small 2.398 2.126 2.244 2.411 2.630 2.260 1.919 2.234 2.504 
			  Medium 2.375 1.941 2.037 2.016 2.160 1.811 1.543 1.800 2.085 
			  Large 2.379 1.743 1.666 1.869 1.894 1.376 1.291 1.588 2.008 
			  Very Large 2.066 1.412 1.281 1.347 1.374 0.968 1.048 1.512 1.789 
			  Average 2.337 1.858 1.820 2.012 2.159 1.718 1.516 1.908 2.263 
		
	
	A copy of the 'Quarterly Energy Prices - June 2008' is available from both Libraries of the House.

Nuclear Decommissioning Authority

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what expenditure his Department incurred in retaining King Sturge to market the Berkeley Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Site; and whether the report on the work undertaken will be published.

Malcolm Wicks: I am advised that the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority initially instructed King Sturge to help market some office accommodation at the Berkeley site, but were subsequently stood down and no expenditure has been incurred.

Nuclear Power

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what research his Department has commissioned on  (a) nuclear energy and  (b) combined heat and power in the last two years for which information is available; and what the budget was for each piece of research.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 July 2008
	This year the Department commissioned research from Ernst and Young into the UK's competitive global position as a site for new nuclear investment. The budget for this project was 50,000. This Department has not commissioned any research on combined heat and power, where the policy lead rests with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Nuclear Power Stations

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the costs of providing additional electricity to make up for the loss from nuclear power stations closed for repairs since January 2007.

Malcolm Wicks: BERR does not seek to estimate the costs of generating electricity under hypothetical scenarios, to compare with actual costs. This would require speculation as to the sources of generation that would not have been used under different scenarios, whereas many factors govern individual companies' decisions as to which plant should be used for generation at any given time.
	BERR publishes a table of fuel used in electricity generation by major producers, which shows the contribution to overall generation from all sources including nuclear plant on an annual basis going back to 1995. This is available on the BERR website at
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/statistics/source/electricity/pagel8527.html

Nuclear Reactors

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the refuelling dates were of each nuclear reactor in the United Kingdom in the last 20 years.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government do not hold this information. Details of the timing of refuelling at nuclear plants is a commercial matter for the operators.

Nuclear Reactors: Decommissioning

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the time needed to decommission graphite cores of redundant nuclear reactors.

Malcolm Wicks: The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and British Energy estimate that, following an extensive period during which radioactivity levels in the core have been allowed to decay away, it will take between two and three years to remove the graphite cores of redundant nuclear reactors.

Nuclear Reactors: Decommissioning

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what mechanisms exist to retain those trained in the National Nuclear Skills Academy within the nuclear decommissioning, clean-up and waste management sector.

Malcolm Wicks: There are no specific mechanisms in place to retain staff, although individual employers and employees might negotiate their own arrangements. A blanket mechanism to restrict the movement of workers, once qualified, would be difficult to set up and open to legal challenge. The labour supply across energy will be tight and employers will have to be competitive to recruit and retain skills.
	Nuclear-trained workers have a core set of technical skills that are transferable to other industries. The Academy and Cogent expect some leakage and have factored this into their planning. This is most likely to benefit related activities, such as new nuclear build, renewable energy and manufacturing. Thus there are positive benefits to the wider economy.

Overseas Trade: Israel

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will place in the Library a copy of the speech he made to the annual dinner of the British-Israel Chamber of Commerce; who drafted the speech; which Government Departments provided advice; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: A copy of this speech will be deposited in the House of Commons Library.
	The speech was drafted by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) officials in London, with contributions from the UKTI team in the British Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Overseas Trade: Israel

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps  (a) he has taken since January 2008 and  (b) plans to take during the next 12 months to increase trade between the United Kingdom and Israel; how much his Department (i) has spent since January 2008 and (ii) plans to spend during the next 12 months on the promotion of trade between the United Kingdom and Israel; what recent representations he has received on increasing trade between the United Kingdom and Israel; what response he gave; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) provides a range of support services to British companies wishing to trade with or invest in Israel, through UKTI officials based in London and the British embassy in Tel Aviv. UKTI officials in Tel Aviv also work to encourage increased Israeli investment in the UK. Examples of UKTI-funded activity since January 2008 include the publication of a newsletter, highlighting the UK's strengths as a business partner, to coincide with the Lord Mayor's visit to Israel, from 21 to 24 January 2008; financial support for Israeli participation in the NanoForum 2008 conference and exhibition in the UK in October 2008; and continued support for the Israel-Britain Business Council (IBBC), most recently through hosting the IBBC's Full Council meeting in the UK on 8 July 2008.
	My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister visited Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories from 19 to 21 July 2008, accompanied by my hon. Friend the Minister for Trade  Investment; the Chief Executive of UK Trade and Investment; and a delegation of 19 senior British businessmen. During the visit, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke at a UKTI sponsored UK-Israel Business Conference on 20 July; signed a new co-production treaty aimed at promoting more joint ventures between the Israeli and British film industries; and announced ambitious new targets both to secure 25 more inward investment projects from Israel by 2010, and to increase bilateral trade between Israel and the UK to at least 3 billion by 2012.
	UK Trade and Investment spent 69,682 on the promotion of trade between Israel and the UK over the period January to July 2008, and is currently committed to spending a further 31,676 over the remainder of this financial year.
	I have received no recent representations on expanding trade between the UK and Israel. However, Lord Jones set out his views on the importance of commercial and wider bilateral links between the UK and Israel in a speech at the British-Israel Chamber of Commerce's Gala Dinner on 30 June 2008. A copy of this speech has been deposited in the House of Commons Library.

Overseas Trade: Middle East

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his Department's policy is on offering support to UK companies to gain or maintain contracts with illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Gareth Thomas: UK Trade and Investment provides a range of support services to companies wishing to trade with or invest in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The Department is not involved in the negotiation or agreement of individual contracts following this support.

Parental Leave

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his Department's estimate is of the number of  (a) mothers and  (b) fathers who were eligible for parental leave in each year since 1999.

Patrick McFadden: The Department does not have all the requested information for each year since 1999. However, there are four different sources that give information on eligibility, take-up and/or average length of parental leave for particular years.
	The Regulatory Impact Assessment on the Parental Leave Regulations 1999
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file34183.pdf
	estimated that there would be 2.7 million employees eligible for parental leave. Of those eligible, 60 per cent. were estimated to be fathers, because women with younger children are less likely to be in work.
	The RIA also estimated that an additional 75,000 people would take parental leave each year as a result of the change in regulations.
	The Second Work Life Balance Study: Results from the Employees' Survey published in March 2004
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file11499.pdf
	which focuses on employees' responses, found that 12 per cent. of working parents who said that parental leave was available in their workplace had taken parental leave in the last year and with their current employer. This translates as 4 per cent. of all parents (regardless of whether parental leave was available in their workplace or not) with dependent children taking parental leave in the previous year. Sample sizes were too small for further analysis of take-up of parental leave by employee characteristics and for analysis of the average numbers of days parents took off.
	The third Work-Life Balance Employer Survey published in 2007
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file42645.pdf
	which draws on employers' rather than employees' responses, indicates that around 14 per cent. of employers had at least one employee who had taken parental leave in the 12 months prior to taking part in the survey. This was comparable to the incidence of parental leave in 2003 (also 14 per cent.).
	The Maternity and Paternity Rights and Benefits: Survey of Parents 2005
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file27446.pdf
	which looked at the first 17 months of a child's life, indicates that 11 per cent. of mothers had taken some parental leave since the end of maternity leave, an increase from 8 per cent. in 2002. Two-thirds of these had taken a week or less.
	The survey also showed that 8 per cent. of fathers had taken some parental leave within 17 months of their child's birth, three-quarters for less than a week.

Photovoltaics

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many photovoltaic panels he estimates will be installed in the UK in  (a) 2008,  (b) 2009 and  (c) 2010.

Malcolm Wicks: As part of a consortium of organisations including the microgeneration industry and energy NGOs, we commissioned research on the growth potential for microgeneration in England, Wales and Scotland, which included current levels of uptake. It found that there were an estimated 2900 microgeneration PV installations at the end of 2007, the majority of them being installed during 2007. Although the research did not estimate how many installations there would be each year it provides information on potential uptake given various potential incentives.
	The research can be accessed at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energv/sources/sustainable/micro generation/research/page38208.html

Photovoltaics

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many  (a) domestic and  (b) non-domestic photovoltaic installations to buildings there were in each year since 2004; and what percentage of all buildings this represents.

Malcolm Wicks: As part of a consortium of organisations including the microgeneration industry and energy NGOs, we commissioned research on the growth potential for microgeneration in England, Wales and Scotland, which included current levels of uptake. It found that there were an estimated 2,900 solar PV installations at the end of 2007. It did not estimate how many were domestic or non-domestic installations.
	The research can be accessed at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/sustainable/micro generation/research/page38208.html

Post Office

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much profit  (a) Post Office Ltd and  (b) the Royal Mail made in each year since 1997; and how many companies were authorised to provide services previously reserved to the Post Office Corporation in each such year.

Patrick McFadden: Royal Mail Group Ltd and Post Office Ltd (POL) profits before exceptionals since 1997 are as follows:
	
		
			   million 
			  Financial year  Post Office Limited  Royal Mail Group 
			 1996-97 34 477 
			 1997-98 33 528 
			 1998-99 22 392 
			 1999-2000 46 381 
			 2000-01 (38) 22 
			 2001-02 (144) (67) 
			 2002-03 (195) 19 
			 2003-04 (133) 51 
			 2004-05 (123) 302 
			 2005-06 (111) 355 
			 2006-07 (1)(108) 233 
			 2007-08 (1)(34) 162 
			 (1) When the additional impact of the social network payment is taken into account POL losses are 184 million for 2007-08 and 183 million for 2006-07. 
		
	
	The number of licensees authorised by Postcomm under section 11 of the Postal
	Services Act 2000 to convey letters within the UK were as follows:
	
		
			  Year (up to 31December)  Newly licensed operators  Total number of licensees 
			 2001 5 5 
			 2002 8 12 
			 2003 0 9 
			 2004 2 9 
			 2005 6 14 
			 2006 4 18 
			 2007 2 17 
			 2008at 4 June 4 20 
			  Note: The two columns do not tally because licensed operators exiting the market are not shown.

Post Office

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will place in the Library the minutes of the meeting of 12 September 2007 in Brussels between his Department, the European Commission and Post Office Ltd.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 5 June 2008
	 No minutes of the meeting were taken.

Post Offices

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many Post Office branches subject to the Network Change programme have been submitted for further review by Postwatch; and how many decisions on Post Office branches that have been subject to the agreed review mechanism between Post Office Ltd and Postwatch have been altered as a result of this process.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, managing Director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Post Offices: Cash Dispensing

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps his Department is taking to encourage the installation of free cash machines at post office branches.

Patrick McFadden: The Government support Post Office Ltd. (POL) in expanding the range of financial services offered to customers, including the introduction of up to 4,000 free-to-use ATMs across the network.
	However, this is an operational matter for POL. I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Post Offices: Closures

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what annual cash savings the Post Office expects to make from the closure of the post office branch at  (a) 157 Broadway, Bexleyheath and  (b) 301-303 Brampton Road, Bexleyheath.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Post Office Limited (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director, of POL to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Post Offices: Competition

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will take steps to lift the restrictions on sub-post masters offering services which compete with Post Office Ltd. services.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 23 June 2008
	No. This is a contractual matter between Post Office Ltd. (POL) and sub-postmasters. POL believes that retaining restrictions in the sub-postmaster contract are essential to the survival of the network. The National Federation of SubPostmasters supports the company's position. These restrictions cover only the key products and services that generate income for the network and preserve POL's ability to negotiate new business on behalf of the full network. Allowing potential suppliers to cherry-pick branches in which to sell their products, would make it impossible for POL to negotiate agreements for all branches across the network.

Post Offices: Cornwall

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will require Post Office Ltd to publish details of the objections raised to each of the proposed branch closures in Cornwall during the network change consultation process.

Patrick McFadden: The implementation of the Network Change Programme is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. All of the Area Plan decision booklets published by Post Office Ltd. contain summaries of the key aspects of the responses received by Post Office Ltd. for each of the branches proposed for closure under the Area Plan proposals.
	Due to the substantial response to each of the Area Plan proposals it is not feasible to set out in full all of the responses in the decision booklets. However, all such responses are reviewed, considered and taken into account by Post Office Ltd. when making its decisions on which branches should close.

Post Offices: Stoke on Trent

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate has been made of the likely financial savings which will arise from the closure of  (a) Dresden post office branch and  (b) Trentham post office branch in Stoke-on-Trent South constituency.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd. (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, Managing Director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member. Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Public Houses

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many  (a) forfeitures,  (b) involuntary surrenders and  (c) voluntary surrenders of tied public houses there were in each year since 2004.

Gareth Thomas: The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform does not collate information on this matter.

Radioactive Wastes: Waste Management

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the length of time spent nuclear fuel discharged from the reactor cores of the new nuclear reactors planned would remain in store at the respective reactor site or sites prior to removal for long-term management.

Malcolm Wicks: The management of any spent fuel arising from the operation of new build reactors in the UK is a matter for the owners of that material, namely the operators. However, the current assumption is that any fuel would remain in storage at the reactor site through life pending disposal. We believe that interim storage provides an extendable, safe and secure means of containing waste for as long as it takes to site and construct a geological disposal facility.

Regional Development Agencies: Pay

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what pay scales are used by regional development agencies; and what guidance is provided to regional development agencies about the salary levels of management and senior management staff.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 12 June 2008
	The regional development agencies have determined their pay scales for staff up to chief executive level based on recognised evaluation systems which determine the level of responsibility for each job along with local market benchmarking. Any changes in their pay framework have to be included in their pay remits, following Treasury Pay Remit Guidance for approval each year by BERR.
	 Key Facts Sheet
	Any proposed increase in salaries for staff in the regional development agencies is submitted through their Pay Remits which are forwarded to BERR, except for the chief executives.
	Pay Remit Guidance is issued by the Treasury.
	The Pay Remits are sent to BERR and once all of the information is received are submitted to the Pay Co-ordination Group and then Secretary of State for approval.
	The pay scales for the chief executives of the RDAs are agreed by the Secretary of State and increases are in line with the recommendations of the Senior Salaries Review Body. Progression awards and bonuses are forwarded to the Secretary of State for consideration based on performance and to the structure detailed in the Financial Memorandum and Management Statement issued to the RDAs.

Regional Planning and Development: Finance

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what funding each of the regional development agencies plans to provide to each of the regional equality and diversity partnerships in 2008-09.

Patrick McFadden: The following table shows RDAs' funding to regional equality and diversity partnerships in 2008-09.
	
		
			  RDA  Funding in 2008-09 (000)  Notes 
			 AWM 0 No plans to provide core funding for the respective regional equality and diversity partnerships in their regions in 2008-09. 
			 ONE 80 ONE to provide 80,000 to the North East Equality and Diversity Partnership. 
			 YF 0 No plans to provide core funding for the respective regional equality and diversity partnerships in their regions in 2008-09. 
		
	
	No such single, legally constituted equality and diversity partnership exists within the east of England, east midlands, London, the north west, south east or the south west.

Renewable Energy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the evidential basis is for the Government's calculation that 100 billion is required for investment in renewables to meet its EU obligations by 2020; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: This calculation was based on the Renewables Advisory Board's report, 2020 Visionhow the UK can meet its target of 15 per cent. renewable energy, which is available at:
	http://renewableconsultation.berr.gov.uk/related_documents

Renewable Energy

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the cost  (a) on average to the consumer and  (b) to the economy of the renewables obligation in each of the last five years.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is as follows.
	 (a) The annual cost of the renewables obligation to the consumer (based on an average domestic electricity consumption figure quoted by Energywatch) was:
	
		
			
			 2002-03 2.97 
			 2003-04 4.33 
			 2004-05 5.11 
			 2005-06 5.87 
			 2006-07 7.35 
		
	
	 (b) The cost to the economy of complying with the renewables obligation was:
	
		
			
			 2002-03 277,847,040.00 
			 2003-04 415,772,340.12 
			 2004-05 497,892,106.53 
			 2005-06 583,003,786.32 
			 2006-07 718,970,430.24

Renewable Energy: Nuclear Power

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of supply chain constraints in  (a) the renewable energy sector and  (b) the nuclear sector, what strategy his Department is pursuing to overcome such constraints; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 July 2008
	There has never been a greater global demand for finance, equipment and skills to build and operate renewable energy and nuclear power stations.
	BERR commissioned a report on the supply chain constraints in the renewable energy sector which was published on the BERR website last month. As we have stated in the UK Renewable Energy Strategy consultation document, we will be working with the regional development agencies, UK Trade and Investment and other relevant bodies to develop a co-ordinated strategy to address the supply chain barriers in this sector.
	We have asked NAMTEC, the National Metals Technology Centre, to produce a preliminary study of our nuclear supply chain which will analyse the expertise developed through 50 years of nuclear power in the UK and our potential to compete with the best in the world. The new Office of Nuclear Development will work with industry and others to identify and manage potential supply chain issues.

Severn Barrage: Railways

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether the feasibility study on the Severn Barrage commissioned by his Department is examining the possibility of the inclusion of a rail link.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 21 July 2008
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1147W: Severn barrage: railways.

Shropshire

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the value was of each grant provided by his Department, its associated agencies and non-departmental public bodies to  (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council,  (b) Shropshire county council and  (c) Telford and the Wrekin borough council in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; and what grants have been planned for 2008-09.

Gareth Thomas: The information is as follows.
	 Grants provided by BERR
	The Department paid Shropshire county council a resource (revenue) grant of 136,375.20 in April 2007 and paid a similar grant of 91,244.40 to Telford and Wrekin council in August 2007. The grants were made under Section 31 of the Local Government Finance Act 2003 in respect of the cost of treating and disposing of household hazardous waste electrical and electronic equipment during the period 1 June 2006 to 30 June 2007.
	The Department has not made available any other direct funding to Shropshire county council, Telford and Wrekin council or Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council in 2007-08 in respect of its current responsibilities following the machinery of government changes. No further grants to the councils are planned in 2008-09.
	 ERDF grants
	Additionally, BERR and the previous Department of Trade and Industry provided PES cover to ERDF grant offers approved in the West Midlands Objective 2 Programme for 2000 to 2006. The amounts shown as follows relate to the ERDF grant offers where the PES cover is provided by BERR/DTI. ERDF is paid in calendar years not financial years.
	Details of grants made to Telford and Wrekin council are detailed in the following table; no grants were approved for Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council or Shropshire county council during the years in question.
	 Other associated agencies and non-departmental public bodies
	Information on grants provided by the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies is held by the bodies themselves. This information is not held centrally.
	
		
			  Grants payments by Advantage West Midlands. Period covered 2006-07 to 2008-09 
			  Applicant  Description  Actuals( 1)  Budget( 2)  Budget( 3)  Grand total 
			  Shrewsbury and Atcham BC Shrewsbury Environmental Technology Centre (Rural Regeneration Zone (RRZ)) 190,103 340,212 - 530,315 
			  Entertainment Venue for Shrewsbury 3,995 - - 3,995 
			  Shrewsbury Business Improvement District - 60,000 - 60,000 
			 Total  194,098 400,212 0 594,310 
			   
			  Shropshire county council RRZ Renewable Energy Capital Grant Scheme Pilot - 350,000 790,000 1,140,000 
			  Sustainable Tourism Business Grant Scheme - 128,720 226,660 355,380 
			  Craven Arms Learning Centres - 308,185 448,766 756,951 
			  Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre 800,563 - - 800,563 
			  M54 Shropshire Tourism Informat 5,000 - - 5,000 
			  Northern Marches Leader+ 25,206 16,805 - 42,011 
			  Eastern Oswestry Gateway-Infrastructure - 453,600 750,000 1,203,600 
			  Civic Park Whitchurch-Land Acquisition 9,701 4,964 - 14,665 
			  Shropshire Rural Access to Services programme 400,000 400,000 400,000 1,200,000 
			  Shropshire Food Enterprise Centre2 - 2,628,698 2,342,815 4,971,513 
			  SPARKS (SRB613) 5,044 - - 5,044 
			 Total  1,245,514 4,290,972 4,958,241 10,494,727 
			   
			  Telford and Wrekin Council Transforming Telford-Projects - 352,500 4,610,500 4,963,000 
			  Land Stabilisation in the ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site - 300,000 2,300,000 2,600,000 
			  Telford and Wrekin Rural Access to Services Programme 94,749 100,000 100,000 294,749 
			  Transforming Telford Prelims - 395,000 - 395,000 
			  Wellington Market Towns Initiative 56,000 403,207 193,180 652,387 
			  Telford and Wrekin Redundancy Fund 20,000 10,000 - 30,000 
			  Telford First 404,630 - - 404,630 
			  Improving Access in Telford (SRB648) 3,292 - - 3,292 
			 Total  578,671 1,560,707 7,203,680 9,343,058 
			 Grand Total  2,018,283 6,251,891 12,161,921 20,432,095 
			 (1) 2006-07 is actual grant defrayed. (2 )2007-08 is budget committed. (3 )2008-09 is budget committed. 
		
	
	
		
			   
			  Project Title  Total ERDF Grant Offered  2006  2007  2008 
			 Tourism for Telford's Future 843,079 113,435 70,337 0 
			 Industrial Evolution Through Innovation-Coalbrookdale 1,028,393 53,378 0 0 
			 Industrial Evolution through Innovation-Delta Research Park 1,950,000 262,963 109,315 112,419 
			 Industrial Evolution through Innovation-Polymer Cluster Elem (Core) 911,132 212,863 296,238 90,577 
			 Industrial Evolution through Innovation-Polymer Cluster Elem (Transitional) 336,620 101,879 76,985 33,961 
			 Donnington Business Units 486,666 0 486,666 0 
			 Hadley Park Industrial Units 416,528 0 408,379 8,149 
			  5,972,418 744,518 1,447,920 245,106

Small Businesses: Video Games

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many small and medium enterprises were created in the UK games industry in each of the last three years.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 14 July 2008
	 These figures are not available. BERR's published data on SMEs does not currently offer a sectoral breakdown at a level of detail sufficient to identify video games businesses specifically.
	Accurate data on the video and computer games sector is generally not readily available to the Department, particularly as the sector has not had its own separate Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. A new SIC code for computer games has now been agreed though it will not be possible for this to deliver data until 2010 at the earliest.

Small Businesses: West Midlands

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many and what proportion of businesses in  (a) West Midlands and  (b) each parliamentary constituency in the West Midlands are small businesses.

Patrick McFadden: Estimates of the total number of businesses in the West Midlands are published by BERR. Latest published data (2005) are as follows. Data for the UK and the regions for 2007 will be published in late July 2008.
	At the start of 2005, there were 353,400 businesses in the West Midlands Government office region, of which 99.2 per cent. (or 350,515) were small (with 0-49 employees).
	Data for parliamentary constituencies are only available for VAT-registered enterprises. It is estimated that the majority (97.9 per cent.) of these will be small. Latest published data (2007) will be placed in the Library of the House of Commons. Data for 2008 will be published in November 2008.
	Businesses are unlikely to be VAT-registered if they fall below the compulsory VAT threshold, which was 60,000 at the start of 2006. Only 1.9 million out of 4.5 million UK enterprises (43 per cent.) were registered for VAT at the start of 2006.
	
		
			  VAT-registered businesses in each parliamentary constituency in the West Midlands, start of 2007 
			  Parliamentary constituency  Number 
			 Aldridge-Brownhills 2,095 
			 Birmingham, Edgbaston 1,855 
			 Birmingham, Erdington 1,390 
			 Birmingham, Hall Green 1,235 
			 Birmingham, Hodge Hill 790 
			 Birmingham, Ladywood 7,335 
			 Birmingham, Northfield 795 
			 Birmingham, Perry Barr 1,475 
			 Birmingham, Selly Oak 1,795 
			 Birmingham, Sparkbrook and Small Heath 2,395 
			 Birmingham, Yardley 1,575 
			 Bromsgrove 3,695 
			 Burton 3,405 
			 Cannock Chase 3,010 
			 Coventry North East 1,865 
			 Coventry North West 1,780 
			 Coventry South 2,865 
			 Dudley North 1,795 
			 Dudley South 2,585 
			 Halesowen and Rowley Regis 2,465 
			 Hereford 4,190 
			 Leominster 5,375 
			 Lichfield 3,110 
			 Ludlow 4,650 
			 Meriden 3,205 
			 Mid Worcestershire 4,450 
			 Newcastle-under-Lyme 2,055 
			 North Shropshire 4,440 
			 North Warwickshire 3,210 
			 Nuneaton 2,520 
			 Redditch 2,620 
			 Rugby and Kenilworth 3,925 
			 Shrewsbury and Atcham 3,680 
			 Solihull 2,715 
			 South Staffordshire 2,695 
			 Stafford 2,680 
			 Staffordshire Moorlands 2,855 
			 Stoke-on-Trent Central 1,920 
			 Stoke-on-Trent North 1,685 
			 Stoke-on-Trent South 1,665 
			 Stone 3,675 
			 Stourbridge 2,445 
			 Stratford-on-Avon 6,210 
			 Sutton Coldfield 2,845 
			 Tamworth 2,935 
			 Telford 2,115 
			 The Wrekin 2,560 
			 Walsall North 1,820 
			 Walsall South 2,150 
			 Warley 1,765 
			 Warwick and Leamington 4,985 
			 West Bromwich East 1,445 
			 West Bromwich West 2,240 
			 West Worcestershire 4,235 
			 Wolverhampton North East 1,380 
			 Wolverhampton South East 1,800 
			 Wolverhampton South West 2,315 
			 Worcester 2,545 
			 Wyre Forest 2,965 
			  Source:  Business Start-ups and Closures: VAT Registrations and De-registrations 1994-2006, available at http://stats.berr.gov.uk/ed/vat

Solar Power: Housing

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has to encourage the installation of solar panels on domestic properties.

Malcolm Wicks: Since 2002 the Government have spent 26 million on the Solar PV programme and 10 million on PV Field Trials. The Low Carbon Buildings Programme has allocated over 20 million to 6,398 projects of which almost 6,376,863 million has been allocated to 4,662 households for installations using solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technology.
	The Renewables Obligation is the Government's main mechanism for encouraging new renewable electricity generation with all eligible renewable electricity generation installations able to receive Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs). We have proposed that all electricity generated by solar photovoltaic panels will be eligible to claim two ROCs for every 1 MWh of renewable electricity generated from April 2009.
	In addition there are wider measures such as the 2016 Zero Carbon homes policy and we have also made it easier for homeowners to install microgeneration technologies through relaxed planning requirements which benefits solar technologies.
	The Renewable Energy Strategy consultation that was published by the Department in June 2008 includes a set of potential measures to allow the UK to meet its share of the EU 2020 target. We believe that distributed energy technologies including microgeneration, have a role to play and we are looking at a range of options to increase financial support to the small-scale generation of electricity and heatincluding consideration of upfront payment, and whether a move to a feed-in tariff system might have advantages. We will publish our full Renewable Energy Strategy in spring 2009, setting out our action plan for meeting our targets in the most effective way.

Trade Fairs

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the guidelines are for deciding which firms will be allocated funding to attend overseas trade shows.

Gareth Thomas: Guidance on company eligibility and the terms and conditions for support under the Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) are given on the UK Trade and Investment website www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk under Our services: Making it happen. For 2008-09 UKTI has allocated indicative budgets to Accredited Trade Organisations for the support of eligible firms at each show in the programme.

Trade Fairs

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much funding was made available through UK Trade and Investment to assist firms in attending overseas trade shows in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many firms received such assistance.

Gareth Thomas: In 2007-08 UK Trade and Investment provided financial assistance of 8.55 million under the Tradeshow Access Programme. 3,142 small and medium sized businesses were supported to participate in overseas fairs (some receiving more than one grant). The budget also provided for enhanced promotion of the UK group at 109 major sectoral exhibitions.

Trade Unions: Finance

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the planned expenditure on the Trade Union Modernisation Fund is in each of the next three years.

Patrick McFadden: The forecast accruals are as follows:
	
		
			   million 
			 2008-09 2.5(1) 
			 2009-10 1.3 
			 2010-11 1.8 
			 (1) Including spend to date.

Trading Funds

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many people there are in the shareholder executive team undertaking the trading fund assessment; and what the criteria for their selection were.

Patrick McFadden: There are currently four officials (equating to approximately 2.0 FTE) from the Shareholder Executive engaged directly in the Trading Funds Assessment and they are working closely with others in BERR, HMT and elsewhere in Whitehall. The Shareholder Executive officials were selected to give a balance of civil service and private sector financial expertise, as well as wider knowledge of certain of the trading funds included in the assessment.

Trading Funds

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which public sector bodies the shareholder executive team  (a) has met and  (b) plans to meet as part of the trading fund assessment.

Patrick McFadden: As part of the trading funds assessment, representatives of the Shareholder Executive team have met and are continuing to work closely with representatives from BERR, OFT, OPSI, HMT, Cabinet Office, the trading funds themselves and their parent Departments and public sector customers.

UK Trade and Investment: Manpower

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many staff worked for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in April 2008; and what UKTI's budget is for 2008-09.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 1 July 2008
	The information requested is as follows.
	 Staff
	At April 2008 just under 2,400 people (expressed as full time equivalents) were working for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). Of the 2,400 just under 1,300, mainly Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), staff were working in diplomatic posts in 99 markets overseas that are the highest priority in terms of the UK's economic interests. Just under 700 people, mostly Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) staff, were based mainly in London and Glasgow. These include operational, customer-facing staff as well as those in corporate support functions. Just under 400 people were based in International Trade Teams (ITTs) in the English regions. These are mainly International Trade Advisors (ITAs), either Government Office (GO) staff or people with business experience who are under contract to deliver UKTI services.
	 Budgets
	UKTI's budgets consist of three different elementsa directly controllable and voted programme budget, and budgets delegated from BERR and FCO, both direct and indirect. For 2008-09, UKTI's budgets are:
	A directly voted net UKTI programme budget of 91.5 million;
	A net estimated FCO budget of some 170 million: the budget directly in UKTI's control is 19.1 million, and an additional estimated budget managed by the FCO of c1 50.9 million;
	A net BERR administration budget of some 55 million: the budget directly in UKTI's control is 45.6 million, and an additional budget managed by BERR of c9.4 million.
	Latest figures show that against an annual target to achieve at least 525 involved inward investment project successes, of which at least 125 should be high value; UKTI exceeded its target with 549 projects, of which 182 were high value.
	In FY 2007-08 UKTI helped 15,900 companies to exploit opportunities in overseas markets. 57 per cent. of these customers reported an improvement in their business performance as a result of UKTI services. And we helped 2,799 companies to increase their R and D in the UK. Total additional bottom line profit reported by trade customers as a result of our help amounted to 3 billion over an annual period.

UK Trade and Investment: Manpower

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the Answer of 23 June 2008,  Official Report, columns 147-50W, on UK Trade and Investment: manpower, how many staff are based in Cambridge.

Gareth Thomas: There are 19 people from the east regional team based at two locations in Cambridge. These are a mix of civil servants and people with business experience who are under contract to deliver UKTI services.

UK Trade and Investment: Public Appointments

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when the head of the UK Trade and Investment's Defence and Security Organisation will be appointed.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 1 July 2008
	The appointment of the Head of UK Trade and Investment, Defence and Security Organisation (UKTI DSO) was announced on 12 June 2008. His name is Richard Paniguian CBE. Further details about this appointment can be seen on the UKTI DSO website at:
	http://www.dso.uktradeinvest.gov.uk

Unionlearn: Finance

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what funding has been allocated to Unionlearn by  (a) his Department and  (b) the European Social Fund for 2007-08.

Patrick McFadden: Neither the Department nor the European Social Fund has allocated funding to Unionlearn for the period 2007-08.

Video Games

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many  (a) highly skilled and  (b) other jobs were associated with the UK computer games industry in each of the last three years.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 10 July 2008
	 Accurate data on the video and computer games sector are not readily available to the Department, particularly as the sector has not had its own separate Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. A new SIC code for computer games has now been agreed though it will not be possible for this to deliver data until 2010 at the earliest.
	However, data recently published by independent industry consultants, Games Investor Consulting, suggests that in 2006 there were 9,150 highly skilled jobs in games development studios in the UK. This rose to 9,950 in 2007. A further 12,000 staff are estimated to be currently employed in games publishing and games retail.

Video Games

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many highly skilled jobs were created by the UK computer games industry in each of the last three years.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 10 July 2008
	 Accurate data on the video and computer games sector are not readily available to the Department, particularly as the sector has not had its own separate Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. A new SIC code for computer games has now been agreed though it will not be possible for this to deliver data until 2010 at the earliest.
	However, data recently published by independent industry consultants Games Investor Consulting estimate that some 800 new highly skilled jobs were created in the UK computer games development industry between 2006 and 2007.

Video Games

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what funding from the public purse was received by UK-based computer games studios in each of the last three years.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 10 July 2008
	 Computer games studios, like other companies, receive support from a wide range of Government activities including for example business support, the R and D tax credit, the programmes of the Technology Strategy Board and UK Trade and Investment help with accessing overseas markets. Many of the regional development agencies also provide funding that benefits games studios. Figures showing the uptake specifically by computer games businesses of all of these sources of funding are not available.

Video Games

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what revenue UK-made computer games generated globally in each of the last five years.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 10 July 2008
	Accurate data on the video and computer games sector are not readily available to the Department, particularly as the sector has not had its own separate Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. A new SIC code for computer games has now been agreed though it will not be possible for this to deliver data until 2010 at the earliest.
	BERR has not made any estimates of revenue generated by UK-made computer games in each of the last five years. However, independent industry consultants Games Investor has recently published data which suggest that between 2006 and 2008 computer games made in the UK will generate nearly 4 billion globally.

Video Games

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of potential revenues to UK companies of worldwide sales of UK-made computer games in 2008.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 10 July 2008
	Accurate data on the video and computer games sector are not readily available to the Department, particularly as the sector has not had its own separate Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. A new SIC code for computer games has now been agreed though it will not be possible for this to deliver data until 2010 at the earliest.
	BERR has not made any estimates of potential revenues to UK companies of worldwide sales of UK-made computer games in 2008.

Welsh Language

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent assessment he has made of the level of demand for the services provided by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies and non-departmental bodies to be provided in the Welsh language; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: The Department has made no recent assessment of the level of demand for the services it provides in Welsh. I have contacted Companies House and the Insolvency Service, and asked their chief executives to respond directly to the hon. Member. However, their records indicate that, to date, none have been asked to provide any of their documents in the Welsh language.
	 Letter from Stephen Speed, dated 21 July 2008
	The Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, has asked me to reply to your question (2007/2933) on what recent assessment has been made of the level of demand for the services provided by his Department and its agencies and non-departmental bodies to be provided in the Welsh language.
	The Insolvency Service is an executive agency of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. The Service has not made any recent assessment of the level of demand for services provided in the Welsh language, but requests for services in the Welsh language are dealt with on a case by case basis and The Service will continue to provide information and adapt its services in Welsh as and when required.
	 Letter from Gareth Jones, dated 21 July 2008:
	I am responding on behalf of Companies House to your recently tabled Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
	Companies House has not made recent assessments of the need for these services because we already have a good idea of the demand. This is because we provide a service which allows officers of all companies that are registered in Wales to receive all communications in bilingual form. At present some 400 companies have taken up this option. The Companies legislation under which we operate allows certain filings to be bilingual and details of these are attached as an annex. Under the provisions of the new Companies Act 2006, we plan to increase the number of documents that Welsh companies can file in the Welsh language, without them having to provide certified translations into English.
	We provide electronic services to all our customers, including our Welsh speaking customers. Our latest development is a bilingual web-filing service for the annual return that provides online filing capabilities equivalent to services offered to companies filing in English. Bilingual webfiling also allows customers to file other document types. This delivered significant benefits to Welsh speaking customers in terms of cheaper, quicker, simpler and more secure filing. In addition all guidance material is provided bilingually and we operate a Welsh language version of the Companies House website. We have an established network of Welsh speakers across the organisation and provide dedicated telephone numbers for customers to communicate directly them.
	I hope this information is helpful. I would be happy answer any further queries.
	 Annex  Companies House provision of Welsh filing services
	Required by law:
	1. Currently companies can file bilingual forms in order to:
	Incorporate a company
	Declare that a company is exempt from the requirement to use Limited or Cyfyngedig
	File a return of allotment of shares
	Change an accounting reference date
	Change the situation or address of the registered office
	Appoint a director or secretary
	Change the particulars of a director or secretary
	Terminate a director or secretary appointment
	File the company's annual return
	Apply for strike-off
	Withdraw a strike-off application
	2. Existing legislation allows the filing of various forms relating to Welsh companies in Welsh (with the registrar then obtaining an English translation for the public record):
	Memorandum and articles of association
	Annual accounts and reports (private companies only)
	Auditors report (private company only)
	From 1st October 2009 as part of the Companies Act 2006, Welsh companies will be able to file additional documents in Welsh only (without the need for a certified translation into English), these include:
	Special resolutions to:
	re-register
	reduce the company's share capital
	change the company's name
	change the location of the company's registered office
	alter the company's articles on conversion to a community interest company
	amend a resolution or agreement by reason of an enactment or court order

Wind Power

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what percentage of buildings have small wind turbines installed.

Malcolm Wicks: As part of a consortium of organisations including the microgeneration industry and energy NGOs, we commissioned research on the growth potential for microgeneration in England, Wales and Scotland, which included current levels of uptake. It found that there were an estimated 1,100 micro-wind installations at the end of 2007.
	The research can be accessed at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/sustainable/micro generation/research/page38208.html

Wind Power: Planning Permission

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the results of the planning application for each onshore and offshore wind farm in the UK have been in each of the last 10 years, broken down by planning authority.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department only has responsibility for the consenting of planning for England and Wales for onshore wind farms of 50 MW or more and offshore wind farms over 1 MW under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. A list of these projects can be found in the following tables.
	For Scotland, Northern Ireland and, for those projects in England and Wales that are dealt with under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (less than 50 MW), projects are tracked through the planning database on the RESTATS website. This database and can be accessed though:
	http://maps.restats.org.uk/run.irdh?request=publicird_ id=O395gCC1793M3kyYQIUy.
	
		
			  Wind farms consented/refused by DTI/BERR under the Electricity Act or Transport and Works Act 
			  Onshore  section 36  England and Wales 
			  Windfarm  Re fused/C onsented  Local authority  MW  Date of refusal/consent 
			 Humble Hill/Kielder Refused Tynedale District Council 80 29 March 2001 
			 Whinash Refused Eden District Council/Lake District National Park Authority 67.5 2 March 2006 
			 Cefn Croes Consented Ceredigion County Council 60 23 May 2002 
			 Scout Moor Consented Rossendale Borough Council/Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council 65 24 May 2005 
			 Little Cheyne Court Consented Shepway District Council 78 18 October 2005 
			 Fullabrook Consented North Devon District Council 66 9 October 2007 
		
	
	
		
			  Offshore  S36 and Transport and Works Act 
			  Consented  Local authority  MW  Date of consent 
			 North Hoyle n/a 60 July 2002 
			 Scroby Sands n/a 60 April 2002 
			 Kentish Flats n/a 90 March 2003 
			 Barrow n/a 90 March 2003 
			 Burbo Bank n/a 90 July 2003 
			 Lynn n/a 90 October 2003 
			 Inner Dowsing n/a 90 October 2003 
			 Rhyl Flats n/a 90 October 2003 
			 Gunfleet Sands n/a 90 October 2003 
			 Ormonde n/a 100 February 2007 
			 London Array n/a 1,000 December 2006 
			 Thanet n/a 300 December 2006 
			 Greater Gabbard n/a 500 February 2007 
			 Teesside n/a 90 September 2007 
			 Walney n/a 450 November 07

TREASURY

Crosby Report

Gordon Banks: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the interim Crosby report on the mortgage market.

Kitty Ussher: On 9 April 2008, the Chancellor announced that Sir James Crosby would provide advice to the Government on options for improving the functioning of mortgage finance markets.
	Sir James presented his interim analysis to the Chancellor on 29 July 2008. This interim analysis is available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/3/E/crosby290708.pdf
	Sir James will present his final recommendations to the Chancellor in the autumn.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much his Department and its agencies have spent on  (a) alcohol and  (b) entertainment in the last three months.

Angela Eagle: For information on alcohol spending I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 31 March 2008,  Official Report, column 629W. The amounts spent on official entertainment for the period May to July 2008 were as follows: HM Treasury 5,832, Debt Management Office 9,000, Office of Government Commerce 529 and OGCbuying.solutions 330. All spending on official entertainment is made in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Managing Public Money.

Economic Situation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the evidential basis is for his analysis of the state of the economy contained in his interview published in  T he Guardian newspaper on 30 August 2008.

Kitty Ussher: Updated assessments and forecasts for the UK and world economies will be published in the forthcoming pre-Budget as normal.

Emissions Trading Scheme

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the revenue that would accrue to his Department annually as a result of auctioning  (a) seven per cent. and  (b) 10 per cent. of allowances under Phase II of the Emissions Trading Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: In Phase II of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, which runs from 2008 to 2012, Government will auction 7 per cent. of allowances. This equates to approximately 85 million allowances, plus those allowances from installations that close during Phase II and any unused surplus from the New Entrant Reserve (NER). The total amount cannot exceed 10 per cent. of the number allocated during Phase II according to the terms of the EU ETS Directive 2003/87/EC. The amount of revenue will be influenced by the market price of carbon at the time of the auctions. The Government do not comment on carbon price, as it would be improper for Government to speculate on how the market will function in the future. Therefore, an estimate on the amount of revenue the auctions will raise cannot be given.

Equitable Life Assurance Society

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what mechanisms the Government are using to assess compensation payable to former Equitable Life policyholders.

Kitty Ussher: As I explained in my written statement to the House on 17 July, the ombudsman looked at matters of considerable factual and technical complexity. I am giving her 2,800-page report on Equitable Life very careful consideration and will give my response to the House in the autumn.

Excise Duties: Fuels

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what level of duty each EU member state imposes on fuel for trains.

Angela Eagle: Information is not held on duty charged in other EU countries on hydrocarbon oil used as fuel for trains.

Excise Duties: Imports

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many of his Department's staff work in support of the Minister of State with responsibility for revenue protection at the UK border;
	(2)  whether the Minister of State with responsibility for revenue protection at the UK border has an office in Treasury buildings.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 10 September 2008
	In my capacity as a member of the ministerial team at the Treasury, I have access to office facilities whenever I require them at the Treasury, and support from a wide range of administrative and policy officials, from both HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs. The number of officials supporting me varies according to the nature of the work at any particular time.

Excise Duties: Imports

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what events the hon. Member for Birmingham, Hodge Hill has attended in his capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for revenue protection at the UK border since his appointment to that post.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 10 September 2008
	I have attended numerous events in connection with the UK Border Agency since I took up my Treasury post in January 2008. I attend these events in both my capacity as Minister of State for Borders and Immigration and my capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for revenue protection at the border.

Excise Duties: Motor Vehicles

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many vehicles were exempted from vehicle excise duty in the disabled tax class as a result of  (a) disability living allowance and  (b) war pensioner's mobility supplement in each year from 2002; and how many were exempted because they fell within the disabled passenger vehicle taxation class in each such year.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury does not hold historical figures for the requested categories. At the end of March 2008, there were a total of 1,141,747 vehicles exempted from vehicle excise duty as a result of their owners being eligible for the higher rate of the mobility component of disability living allowance and the war pensioner's mobility supplement. At the same time, 17,105 vehicles were exempt from VED as a result of their falling within the disabled passenger carrying vehicle class.

Import Controls

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of crates imported to the UK were screened or searched at UK ports by HM Revenue and Customs in 2006-07.

Angela Eagle: This information is not available. HMRC does not centrally record the number of crates imported into the UK.

Northern Rock: Repossession Orders

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many homes Northern Rock has  (a) repossessed and  (b) initiated action to repossess in the last six months.

Kitty Ussher: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Carmarthen and Dinefwr (Adam Price) on 21 July 2008,  Official Report, column 728W.

Public Buildings: Empty Property

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of maintaining empty public buildings in the last 12 months; and what estimate he has made of the amount by which this figure will change following the removal of empty property rate relief.

Angela Eagle: Over the last 12 months the average actual vacancy rate on the Government civil estate was 1.6 per cent. of the total estate. In June 2008 this was 1.43 per cent. This compares well with the private sector, where vacant space can be four times greater.
	The cost of maintaining empty buildings on the civil estate for 2007-08 is estimated to be approximately 39.5 million. The removal of empty rate relief is likely to increase this cost in the current financial year to approximately 47.2 million, on the assumption that a similar amount of property remains empty.

Public Expenditure

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a table showing public expenditure per head of population for each year since 1997, broken down by parliamentary constituency and ranked from highest to lowest ratio.

Yvette Cooper: Public expenditure figures by parliamentary constituency are not available but we do publish figures on a regional basis in the Country and Regional Analysis (CRA) section of Public Expenditure Statistical Analyses (PESA). These can be obtained for the years 2002-03 up to 2007-08 from the following link:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk./economic_data_and_tools/finance_spending_statistics/pes_cra/country_region.cfm
	Figures for earlier years are not available on a comparable basis due to changes to the definition of expenditure that can be identified as benefiting a particular region, and changes to the methodology Departments use when allocating expenditure to regions.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

Simon Hughes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy to extend the suspension of stamp duty announced on 2 September 2008 for all properties up to the value of 175,000 to cover the whole of the 1 per cent. stamp duty band.

Kitty Ussher: The stamp duty holiday is limited to transactions up to the value of 175,000 in order to provide support to those homebuyers who need it most.

Stamp Duty Land Tax

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the evidential basis is for his statement that the suspension of stamp duty on the purchase of residential properties costing 175,000 or less will cost more than 600 million;
	(2)  what his estimate is of the number of residential property sales at prices between 125,000 and 175,000 that will take place in the year commencing 3 September 2008  (a) with and  (b) without the suspension of stamp duty, broken down by Government Office region.

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the  (a) number and  (b) proportion of residential properties that will be exempt from stamp duty as a result of the recent change in thresholds in each Government region in each of the next 12 months.

Kitty Ussher: The estimate of the cost of the suspension of stamp duty land tax on the purchase of residential property costing 175,000 or less is based on a number of factors, including estimates of future transactions, house prices and behavioural effects. The Treasury does not publish forecasts of house prices or transactions.
	Stamp duty rates and thresholds apply uniformly throughout the UK. It is estimated that around half of all purchases in the UK are for properties worth 175,000 or less.

Tax Credits

David Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many recipients of tax credit renewal packs were subsequently found not to be eligible for tax credits in the latest period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what procedures are in place to discontinue the distribution of tax credit renewal packs to former tax credit claimants when they have ceased to be eligible for tax credits.

Jane Kennedy: The statistical information is not available in the format requested.
	HMRC is statutorily obliged to send annual declaration and renewal notices requiring claimants to provide or confirm details of their income and circumstances, and any changes in their circumstances. That information is necessary to determine their entitlement in the tax year just ended.
	HMRC does not send annual declaration and renewals packs to customers where they have not been in receipt of tax credits over the past year and when HMRC is certain that the customer is no longer eligible for tax credits.

Taxation

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the cost to the public purse arising from the introduction of credit card processing fees for tax bills paid by telephone by credit card.

Jane Kennedy: There is not expected to be any additional cost to the public purse for receiving telephone credit card payments in respect of amounts paid to HMRC.

Taxation: National Lottery

Don Foster: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent estimate his Department has made of the effect on  (a) prize levels,  (b) good causes revenue and  (c) taxation revenues of a change to the taxation regime for the National Lottery from lottery duty to gross profits taxation.

Angela Eagle: At Budget 2008, the Government announced that they would consider the case for moving lottery duty to a gross profits tax and would announce their plans at pre-Budget report 2008.
	Officials from both HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs have been in discussions with the national lottery operator to help determine the impact of such a change.

Tobacco: Smuggling

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the excise duty lost on tobacco products due to smuggling in tax year  (a) 2003-04,  (b) 2004-05,  (c) 2005-06,  (d) 2006-07 and  (e) 2007-08.

Angela Eagle: Estimates for the revenue loss to the Exchequer (duty plus VAT) associated with illicitly supplied cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco are estimated separately for 2003-04 to 2005-06 and are reported in Measuring Indirect Tax Losses - 2007 published by HMRC in October 2007, which is available in the House of Commons Library.
	Estimates for 2006-07 are expected to be published alongside the 2008 pre-Budget report. Further, the 2007-08 estimates are expected to be published alongside the 2009 pre-Budget report.

Tobacco: Smuggling

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what analysis has been undertaken of the potential cost to the Exchequer of introducing a track and trace system for tobacco products  (a) exported to and  (b) manufactured in the UK.

Angela Eagle: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has not undertaken an analysis of the cost of introducing a track and trace system for tobacco products exported to the UK or manufactured in the UK. However, HMRC keeps abreast of developments in track and trace technology through its regular contacts with tobacco manufacturers and customs authorities in other EU member states.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan: Education

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding his Department has allocated to support the training of accountants in Afghanistan; what support his Department has provided to the Afghanistan Society of Accounting Technicians; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) does not provide financial support for the training of accountants nor for the Afghanistan Society of Accounting Technicians. The objective of our economic management programme is to support the Afghan Government's capacity to manage and expand the formal economy and promote wider reform of governmental systems.
	In 2008-09 DFID will contribute 74 million towards this objective; over half the total Afghanistan programme. This support is aligned to Government of Afghanistan priorities and includes 60 million channelled through the Afghan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF). The 2008 external review of the ARTF found that is has helped improve the Government's capacity to manage its finances.
	DFID is helping the Government of Afghanistan to improve their public spending practices with a 9.8 million programme of support to the Budget Department in the Ministry of Finance. This has led to year on year improved use of resources in the delivery of basic services to the Afghan population.

Africa: Overseas Aid

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what projects his Department is collaborating with the African Development Fund; at what cost in 2008-09; and what programmes the African Development Fund is operating to financially stabilise fragile states.

Gillian Merron: During negotiations on the eleventh replenishment of the African Development Fund (AfDF 11), donors agreed to establish a Fragile States Facility and set aside 7.5 per cent., of AfDF 11 resources (about 330 million) for this. The new facility will provide countries emerging from conflict and crisis with additional resources to rebuild infrastructure and re-establish services for example, as well as helping them qualify for debt relief.
	Department for International Development (DFID) country teams collaborate with the AfDB in the field. In Sierra Leone, Zambia, Ghana, Malawi and Mozambique AfDB and DFID provide budget support under a common framework with a number of other donors to enable the governments to implement their poverty reduction strategies. In Zambia, DFID will provide about 26 million in budget support and AfDB will provide 30 million. In Ghana, DFID will provide about 50 million in budget support and AfDB will provide 25 million. In Malawi, DFID will provide about 22 million in budget support and AfDB will provide 14 million. In Mozambique, DFID will provide about 42 million in budget support and AfDB will provide 15 million. Other donors will of course also contribute to budget support operations.
	There is also strong collaboration between AfDB and DFID in Malawi and Mozambique on water and sanitation. In Malawi, AfDB plans to provide about 24 million towards the water sector over the next five years (and 6.5 million in 2008-09) and DFID is planning to match this with 25 million for the next three years through the Africa Catalytic Growth Fund. In Mozambique, DFID will provide about 500,000 in 2008 and 2009 for water, and the AfDB will contribute about 8 million.
	Finally, DFID and the AfDB work closely on improving road infrastructure in Mozambique. In 2008 and 2009, DFID will contribute 4 million and AfDB will contribute just under 15 million.

African Development Bank

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what influence the UK has over the way the African Development Bank uses the UK's contribution of funding; and what assessment he has made of the key areas to which this aid should be directed.

Gillian Merron: The African Development Fund (AfDF) of the African Development Bank (AfDB) provides grants and concessional loans to around 40 African countries. The AfDF is replenished by donor countries every three years, and during the negotiations, AfDB management and donors agree how the resources will be spent. New approaches and policy changes are also agreed as part of the replenishment discussions. All donor contributions to the AfDF replenishment are governed by the agreements and resources are pooled; no donor can earmark their contribution to the AfDF for particular countries, sectors or projects.
	The latest AfDF negotiations concluded in December 2007. It was agreed that the AfDF could make the best contribution to achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Africa by concentrating on supporting countries' efforts to accelerate economic growth. Building infrastructure is an important part of this, and around 60 per cent. of resources are likely to be used in this way. New approaches were agreed on how the AfDF would promote regional integration, which is important for growth in Africa, and assist fragile states, particularly those emerging from conflict. The agreed policy changes included how the Bank would adjust its approach to assist countries to tackle climate change and how it would ensure its assistance made a more effective contribution to improving the lives of African women and girls. The UK was instrumental in securing these agreements, and committed 417 million to the AfDF over the next three years. A copy of the replenishment agreement, known as the AfDF 11 Deputies Report, has been placed in the Library of the House.
	The UK is also providing funding to assist the AfDB to build its capacity and improve the effectiveness of its assistance. These funds are focused in six areas: infrastructure, climate change, governance, water and sanitation, knowledge and statistics, and institutional strengthening.

Asylum

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his latest estimate is of refugees flows to neighbouring countries in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: The UK Government continue to work with agencies such as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to protect and resettle refugees. In 2007 DFID funding of 19 million helped UNHCR assist some 4.5 million refugees of whom 730,000 returned to their country of origin.
	Current figures available from UNHCR indicate that there were an estimated 11.4 million refugees world-wide in 2007. We are unable to break down this figure into those that sought sanctuary in neighbouring countries and those that went beyond the initial border.

Burma: Overseas Aid

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of British aid to Burma in 2008-09 will  (a) be used to enhance logistic capacity for aid delivery and  (b) support early recovery and livelihood regeneration activities; and if he will make a statement.

Shahid Malik: The UK's current commitment for Burma in 2008-09 is 45 million towards the Cyclone Nargis relief effort, in addition to the 12 million regular programme through the Department for International Development (DFID) which had been planned before the cyclone struck.
	So far 6.4 million (14 per cent. of the 45 million for cyclone relief) has been allocated for strengthening the logistical capacity for aid delivery. This funding has included grants to the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Red Cross, the secondment of staff to support WFP's air operations, and the direct provision of flights, flat-bottomed boats and other items of equipment.
	DFID has allocated 5.6 million (12.4 per cent. of the 45 million for cyclone relief), so far, to early recovery and livelihoods work being undertaken by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN HABITAT and International Development Enterprises (IDE). This funding includes the provision of seeds and agricultural tools to enable farmers to resume rice planting. We are reviewing new proposals and expect to make further contributions towards early recovery and livelihoods, including disaster risk reduction, from the 45 million for cyclone relief.
	DFID is also supporting rural livelihoods across Burma from our regular programme, primarily through projects carried out by UNDP and IDE. Spending on these projects is expected to comprise about 12 per cent. of the 12 million allocated this year.

Departmental Computers

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of  (a) the number of computer devices left on overnight in his Department when not in use and  (b) the cost of leaving computer devices on overnight when not in use in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Shahid Malik: Detailed records of PCs, screens, printers, copiers, etc., left on when not in use are not kept. However awareness-raising switch-off campaigns around the office have been carried out including using posters provided by the Carbon Trust, to reduce the proportion of equipment left on overnight, and security staff now regularly monitor and switch off unnecessary items. Exercises to reduce the overall number of devices such as printers used in the office have also been carried out.
	It is estimated that the awareness campaigns and reduction in numbers of items have reduced the overall number of devices left on unnecessarily over the last five years from around 800 (20 per cent. of the total) to less than 200 (under 5 per cent. of the total). The approximate additional cost in terms of electricity would have been between 8,000 five years ago, to 2,000-3,000 last year.

Departmental Home Working

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many staff in his Department are authorised to work from home.

Gillian Merron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 990W.

Departmental Marketing

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost was of  (a) internet and website design and hosting,  (b) print media design and  (c) broadcast media for each of his Department's public information campaigns since 1997.

Douglas Alexander: Since 1997, the total expenditure by the Department for International Development (DFID) on the following has been:
	
		
			  (a) Internet hosting 
			
			 2004-05 18,600 
			 2005-06 18,600 
			 2006-07 18,600 
			 2007-08 18,600 
			 Total cost 74,400 
		
	
	Web hosting figures are unavailable prior to 2004.
	The Department's website design is managed by internal DFID staff.
	 (b) The Aid works campaign is the only public information campaign since 1997 that has involved print media. The cost of printed inserts was 6,122.
	 (c) The Department did not undertake paid-for broadcast media activity as part of any public information campaigns between 1997 and 2006.
	In December 2007, broadcast (radio) media activity supporting a caring consumer message to UK public cost 2,500.

Departmental Pay

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the average pay per hour worked by  (a) permanent and  (b) temporary staff in his Department in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by pay band.

Douglas Alexander: Home Civil Servant staff at the Department for International Development (DFID) receive payment on either an annual salary or an hourly rate basis, depending on the terms of their contract.
	Details of the average pay per hour worked by all staff on Home Civil Service pensionable terms (including fixed term contract staff) for June 2008, broken down by pay band, are provided in the following table:
	
		
			  Grade  Average hourly rate () 
			 SCS 41.37 
			 A1 30.66 
			 A2 24.78 
			 A2(L) 19.06 
			 B1(D) 16.37 
			 B1 14.96 
			 B2 11.91 
			 C1 9.70 
			 C2 8.23 
			  Note: The above data represents basic salary rates and does not include overtime payments or other allowances. 
		
	
	DFID also appoints temporary staff through recruitment agencies to undertake both administrative and specialist roles, including IT and communications specialists. Administrative appointments are managed centrally, but individual departments within DFID have delegated authority to engage specialist staff. Records are not held centrally for this group and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.
	Under the terms of the contract with the agency suppliers, DFID is unable to make public information that may be of value to a competitor. This specifically precludes us releasing details of the hourly rates paid for each grade of staff.

Developing Countries: Health

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what methods his Department uses to fund disease prevention in developing countries besides the use of health budget support.

Gillian Merron: The Department for International Development (DFID) uses a range of aid instruments to fund disease prevention in developing countries. Through our bilateral programme we use programme and project instruments (as well as budget support)for example to provide bednets to afford greater protection from malaria and condoms to help prevent HIV. DFID also provide substantial sums for health through the multilateral system, including the United Nations, the international financial institutions, the European Commission, the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and malaria and the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) and UNITAID.
	The mix of instruments chosen is determined at the country level, according to the local context and includes health systems strengthening through the International Health Partnership (IHP) launched in September 2007. Further information is available on the DFID website:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/news/files/ihp/default.asp
	DFID is a substantial donor in education, water and sanitation, nutrition and food security and social protectionwhich all impact on health outcomes.

Gaza: Food

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether his Department has made an assessment of the effect of rising food prices on the humanitarian situation in Gaza; and if he will make a statement.

Shahid Malik: At least 76 per cent. of the population of Gaza are now partly dependent upon food aid. The main issue affecting the supply of humanitarian aid, including food, is the partial closure of Gaza's crossings. This has significantly increased the time and costs involved in importing humanitarian supplies into Gaza. Although food aid is getting into Gaza, the size and frequency of these deliveries are insufficient to meet the broader needs of the population, who are dependent on such food items as are commercially available to make up the shortfall.
	Rising food prices have exacerbated an already difficult situation. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, food prices in Gaza increased by 24 per cent. from March 2007 to March 2008 (compared to a general inflation level of 17 per cent. in the same period).
	The World Food Programme (WFP), Food and Agriculture Organisation and the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) have recently conducted a survey of food security in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and will release the results soon. The Department for International Development (DFID) has not made a separate assessment of the impact of rising food prices.

Governance and Transparency Fund

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which 10 countries have received the most funding from the Governance and Transparency Fund since its inception; and how much each received.

Gareth Thomas: A list of proposals offered support under our 130 million Governance and Transparency Fund (GTF) was published on the Department for International Development (DFID) website on 6 May 2008 at:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/fundinq/gtf.asp
	The GTF Fund managers are still finalising project budgets with the 38 successful applicants. It is therefore not yet possible to provide information on GTF funding by country. Information on allocations will be published on the DFID website once all budgets have been agreed.

Governance and Transparency Fund

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes have been run through the Governance and Transparency Fund; how much money has been spent on each programme  (a) in total and  (b) on administrative costs; and which countries each programme relates to.

Gillian Merron: In April 2008, 38 proposals to the Governance and Transparency Fund (GTF) were provisionally offered support by the United Kingdom Government's Department for International Development (DFID). Details of these can be found on the DFID website at:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/funding/gtf.asp.
	These proposals are currently being checked and finalised. No money has yet been spent through these projects.

India: Floods

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with  (a) the government of India and  (b) non-governmental organisations on (i) improving sanitation in relief camps and (ii) provision of emergency supplies in the Sepaul, Madhepura, Saharsa and Araria districts of India affected by flooding.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) office in India is holding regular discussions with the Government of India, the State Government of Bihar and international agencies involved in the relief effort.
	Sanitation in the relief camps is a priority issue. UNICEF is implementing a $2.6 million humanitarian programme to address immediate needs with a special focus on the worst affected areas, including Sepaul, Madhepura, Saharsa and Araria districts. DFID has pledged 1.15 million to this programme which will provide nutrition, water and sanitation for 125,000 displaced people.
	The Government of India recently announced that they were providing 125 million and 125,000 tonnes of food for those affected in Bihar, and food distribution is now under way. The Government of Bihar, international NGOs, and charitable giving in India are providing additional support. DFID will soon participate in a multi-donor assessment of recovery needs for the medium term. We are closely monitoring the level of immediate need.

India: Floods

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution his Department has made to humanitarian relief following the recent flooding in Bihar state, India; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) has contributed 1.15 million to UNICEF to assist those affected by the Kosi river floods in India. These funds will be used to meet immediate relief needs in health, water and sanitation, nutrition and child protection.
	DFID is in close contact with the relevant departments of the Government of India, the State Government of Bihar, UN agencies, other donors and the non-governmental organisation (NGO) community in order to monitor the situation as it evolves. We stand ready to respond further as necessary.

International Health Partnership

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what programmes his Department is working in partnership with the International Health Partnership.

Gillian Merron: The International Health Partnership (IHP) was launched a year ago, on 5 September 2007, to accelerate progress towards the health Millennium Development Goals. It is not a new institution, a new Secretariat or a new fund. It is about donors working together to support developing country Governments as they try to improve the health of their people.
	The IHP currently operates in a small set of countriesBurundi; Cambodia; Ethiopia; Kenya; Madagascar; Mali; Mozambique; Nepal; Nigeria; and Zambiato build stronger and lasting health systems and to strengthen coordination of aid. At a global level, the Department for International Development (DFID) supports the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank in taking forward the IHP. At a country level, where DFID has a programme, we are working with partners to implement the IHP.

Iraq: Reconstruction

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid his Department has allocated to Sadr City, Baghdad to improve  (a) electricity,  (b) sanitation and  (c) medical facilities; what types of aid have been provided in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Shahid Malik: The Department for International Development (DFID) is providing support to the people of Sadr City through contributions to UNICEF and to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
	UNICEF has provided medical supplies both to the Directorate of Health and to medical facilities in Sadr City. They have provided safe water, hygiene materials and emergency health supplies to over 12,000 families and 3,000 individuals in Sadr City. Water tankering operations serve these families daily, as well as the three major hospitals and other health facilities in the city. UNICEF has also pre-positioned various supplies in medical facilities in the cityincluding basic health kits for up to 100,000 peopleand distributed water purification tablets door-to-door.
	In Sadr City, ICRC provides food parcels, rice, and hygiene kits to vulnerable families and medical supplies to the Imam Ali general hospital. ICRC transport nearly 10,000 litres of drinking water to the city every day, and in Sadr City have repaired the Urfali water treatment plantwhich provides clean water for 10,000 peopleand the Al-Rashad psychiatric hospital, the largest health centre in Iraq.
	ICRC's humanitarian assistance to Sadr City is funded from their core Iraq budget, to which DFID has provided 7 million in 2008. Similarly, UNICEF's work in Sadr City is funded from the UN Consolidated Appeal for Iraq, to which DFID has provided 5 million in 2008.
	In a wider sense, DFID is encouraging the Government of Iraq to take a lead in providing for the welfare of their own people. In line with this, the Government of Iraq have established an Inter-Ministerial Committee on the regeneration of Sadr Citywith a budget of $100 millionwhich is responsible for both regeneration and delivery of essential services to Sadr City, including electricity.

Namibia: Territorial Waters

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations his Department has made on visits to Namibia about illegal fishing by other states in Namibian waters; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: I visited Namibia on 9 July, immediately after Namibia hosted a Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Ministerial Conference on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU) from 2 to 4 July. This conference was funded by the Department for International Development (DFID) with strong support from DEFRA and the FCO. The conference generated a Statement of Commitment to be passed to SADC Heads of State later this year, calling for regional action to improve fisheries governance and trade, and in particular to combat illegal fishing. The lack of capacity within the region to deal effectively with illegal fishing was highlighted during a meeting I had with the Chief Executive Officer of Hangana Seafoods, the first Namibian seafood producer to receive British Retail Consortium certification.
	DFID's programme with Namibia through SADC has been instrumental in influencing southern African regional policy development for sustainable fisheries. DFID has now approved further funds to help build on this commitment and extend it to other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Namibia represents a relatively positive model for African fisheries and effort will continue to support Namibian interests in promoting best practice. Nambia has operated effective monitoring, control and surveillance of its fishing activities since Independence. Recent and relatively modest infractions during late 2007, involving Nambian flagged, foreign operated vessels in the horse mackerel fishery, have been effectively dealt with by the authorities.

Overseas Aid

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made towards meeting the Gleneagles pledge to double development assistance, from G8 countries by $15 billion by 2010.

Gareth Thomas: The Gleneagles summit communiqu estimated that annual official development assistance (ODA) from all donors would increase by $50 billion, and ODA to Africa would increase by $25 billion, between 2004 and 2010. So far, according to preliminary data for 2007, from the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC), ODA from DAC members only has increased from $79 billion in 2004 to $104 billion in 2007, and ODA to Africa has increased from $19 billion in 2004 to $24 billion in 2007.

Overseas Aid

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department has taken with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Defence with the objective of increasing the timeliness and effectiveness of aid from international institutions to conflict-affected areas.

Gillian Merron: Improving the effectiveness of aid from international institutions to conflict-affected countries is a UK Government priority. The Department for International Development (DFID) has taken a leading role in supporting reform of the international response to humanitarian crises led by the United Nations. This has led to an increase in the timeliness and effectiveness of humanitarian aid through the UN Central Emergency Response Fund and the country-level Emergency Response and Common Humanitarian Funds.
	DFID is also supporting improvements to the effectiveness of international institutions' development assistance to conflict-affected countries. UK funding through the joint DFID-FCO-MOD Conflict Prevention Pool and DFID funding to the United Nations funds, agencies and programmes, including UNDP's Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery and the UN Peace building Fund, is subject to improved timeliness and effectiveness. For the World Bank, DFID secured commitments on financing for fragile states during the fifteenth replenishment negotiations of the International Development Association (IDA 15) in 2007, including extending the period of extra assistance for post-conflict states.
	Recently, the UK has launched a new initiative on improving the international community's support for post-conflict stabilisation and early recovery. We are working with the UN, the World Bank, regional organisations such as the European Union and the African Union, and other countries to address the lack of timely and effective development aid during the immediate post-conflict period.

Overseas Aid

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's objectives are for the outcome of the Accra High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness to be held in September.

Shahid Malik: The High Level Forum (HLF) is an important opportunity to achieve further progress in the quality of aid. The Department for International Development's (DFID) objectives for Accra are to:
	Internationally identify and agree on concrete actions to accelerate progress and unblock obstacles towards our 2010 Paris targets and commitments on aid effectiveness under the five broad principles of Ownership, Harmonisation, Alignment, Mutual Accountability and Managing for Development Results.
	To ensure partner country ownership and that partner country priorities are addressed and civil society perspectives are inputted into the Accra Agenda for Action outcome document that will be endorsed internationally.
	And particularly to:
	Improve medium term predictability of aid so that governments can plan expenditures better and meet recurring costs, for example wages of nurses and teachers.
	Improve the governance of aid so that there is better accountability of donors to partner countries as well as partner countries to donors to drive better performance and results.
	Improve the transparency of aid delivery for better planning and accountability.
	Rationalise aid delivery to reduce costs increase coherence and improve the efficiency of aid.
	Improve incentives for agency effectiveness to really secure practical behavioural change in donor organisations.
	To ensure more aid is untied to free up more resources for poor people.

Overseas Aid

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes were funded by the 89 million contributed by his Department to the Partnership Programme Agreement; and what the administrative costs associated with each programme were.

Gillian Merron: Partnership Programme Arrangements (PPAs) provide unrestricted funding to non-governmental organisations in support of objectives they share with the Department for International Development (DFID). It is therefore not possible to provide figures for specific programmes or administrative costs.
	The 26 organisations which receive PPA contributions and the objectives against which they are held to account are detailed on the Department for International Development's external website at:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/aboutdfid/DFIDwork/ppas/partnerprogagreements.asp

Overseas Aid

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what private sector contracts are funded through the 86 million that his Department spends through its country programmes.

Gareth Thomas: Details of all contracts awarded centrally by the Department for International Development (DFID) are available on our website:
	http://www.dfid.gov.uk/procurement/contractslet.asp
	for the period January 2005 to March 2008. This includes the project/programme title, name of supplier, the related sector and contract award value. Low value contracts issued by our overseas offices are not recorded centrally and would incur disproportionate cost to collate.

Overseas Aid

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes his Department operates to increase awareness of  (a) black and minority ethnic groups,  (b) faith groups and  (c) young people on assistance to developing countries; and how much was spent on such programmes in 2007-08.

Gillian Merron: The Department for International Development (DFID) runs a comprehensive package of development awareness programmes aimed at reaching diverse audiences, including black and minority ethnic groups, faith groups and young people. The total budget for development awareness for 2007-08 was 14.4 million.
	Information on the main programmes for the audiences mentioned is as follows:
	 Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Groups:
	A partnership arrangement with the BME network organisation, Connections for Developmentapproximately 250,000 in 2007-08 to support the engagement of more BME organisations in international development. A volunteering programme to support volunteering in developing countries by the UK's diaspora communities was launched on 17 July 2008. The budget for this is 3 million over three years. Special workshops have been run in order to make BME groups aware of funding streams that are available to support greater development awareness among their communities and to increase the number of good quality applications from these groups.
	 Faith groups:
	DFID supports a number of faith groups, or projects which target faith groups, through the competitive Development Awareness Fund. Ministers have been undertaking outreach visits to faith groups, including a multi-faith gathering of leaders hosted in Glasgow on 7 March and a seminar hosted by the DFID Minister, (Shahid Malik), with Muslim groups to discuss DFID's my hon. Friend the Member for Dewsbury work.
	DFID gives funding to faith based NGOs such as CAFOD, Aga Khan Foundation, Islamic Relief and Christian Aid some of which is allocated by them to development awareness activities.
	 Young people:
	In 2007-08 DFID funded around 8 million of activities that targeted young people in schools through the formal education sector, working with colleagues in DCSF, the curriculum authorities and the devolved Administrations. In addition DFID launched a new Youth Volunteering Scheme that aims to fund 2,500 young volunteers to work in developing countries. The budget for this scheme is 10 million over three years. DFID also reaches out to young people through sponsorship of youth festivals, such as the recent Global Students' Forum, and through innovative tools such as the Race Against Poverty Game which is available at the DFID website (www.dfid.gov.uk).

Overseas Aid

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of new development aid committed at the G8 summit is planned to go to  (a) Africa,  (b) South America,  (c) South East Asia,  (d) the Middle East and  (e) Eastern Europe; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: G8 leaders at the 2008 summit in Tokyo reaffirmed their commitment made at Gleneagles, to work towards an increase in global Official Development Assistance (ODA) of $50 billion per year by 2010, of which half, i.e. $25 billion, additional funding should go to Africa.
	There are no specific G8 planning targets for other regions.
	The UK Government believe it is important that this commitment to Africa should be met and we will work with our partners to ensure that it is.

Overseas Aid: International Cooperation

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the outcomes were of the Accra conference on aid effectiveness; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The third High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra reached a groundbreaking agreementthe Accra Agenda for Actionto improve the quality of global aid and help ensure that every pound or dollar of global aid delivers the maximum benefit for poor people.
	In adopting the Accra Agenda for Action donors and developing countries agreed a number of concrete, monitorable actions, including the following:
	Donors committed to make greater use of country's own financial systems to deliver aid, helping to strengthen those systems and improve accountability to Parliaments and citizens;
	Donors and developing countries agreed to develop stronger mechanisms to hold each other accountable for meeting their commitments, at both country and global level;
	Donors committed to respect and support partner country-led efforts to agree a better division of labour between donors in-country and to start a dialogue on international division of labour between countries. This will help to reduce the burden on governments of dealing with multiple donors and address the issue of countries that receive insufficient aid;
	Donors will better communicate with partner governments about the aid they can expect over the next three-five years, helping governments to plan more effectively.
	Donors will improve the way they deliver aid in 'fragile states', including those suffering from conflict. They agreed ways to use aid better to support state-building and peace building.
	The full text of the Accra Agenda for Action is available through:
	http://www.accrahlf.net/.
	Also at Accra, 14 donors endorsed the new UK-led International Aid Transparency Initiative to help ensure that information on aid flows is available to everyone. It will enable partner Governments and their citizensthose who ultimately benefit from aidto plan for and make the best use of aid. It will also help citizens hold donors and governments to account for their promises.

Renewable Energy: Finance

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution his Department has made to the  (a) Clean Technology Fund,  (b) Strategic Climate Fund and  (c) the DfID/Defra Environmental Transformation Fund to date; and what projects and initiatives have had allocations from each of those funds to date.

Gareth Thomas: In the 2007 Budget, HM Treasury allocated 800 million to the Environment Transformation Fund International Window (ETF-IW), which is shared equally between the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The full 800 million will be used to capitalise the new Climate Investment Funds administered by the World Bankthe UK contribution will be made via the Strategic Climate Fund. Ministers have agreed that roughly two thirds will be allocated to mitigation (forestry and clean technology) and one third to adaptation.
	To date, 50 million has been committed to the Congo Basin Fund and 15 million to the Forest Carbon Partnership Fund. These allocations will be made via the Strategic Climate Fund. A 50 million allocation to China will be made via the Clean Technology Fund.

United Nations Development Fund for Women

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support his Department provides to the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNDFW); at what cost in 2008-09; and what UNDFW programmes his Department's staff have been working on.

Gillian Merron: Since 2004-05 the Department for International Development (DFID) has provided financial support to UNDFW (or UNIFEM as it is also known) amounting to 14 million. During 2008-09 we will provide 3 million given as core funding and 725,000 to supporting women's engagement in peace building and preventing sexual violence in conflicts in six countries. Core funding supports the delivery of UNIFEM's overall strategic plan and, hence, the full range of UNIFEM's activities.

United Nations: Overseas Aid

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how the 307 million provided by his Department through central contributions to the UN agencies was distributed in  (a) 2002-03 and  (b) 2003 to 2007.

Gareth Thomas: During the period 2002-03 to 2006-07, the Department for International Development provided the following central contributions to UN agencies.
	
		
			  000 
			  UN agency  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Food and Agriculture Organisation 12,018 12,399 13,408 9,132 13,700 
			 International Fund for Agricultural Development 3,000 5,299 7,899 12,130 4,686 
			 International Labour Organisation 1,518 4,447 4,816 3,446 3,106 
			 Office for the Co-ordination of Human Affairs 3413 4,507 4,511 47,500 53,745 
			 United Agency for Palestinian Refugees 18,807 23,646 17,229 14,985 15,015 
			 UNAIDS 3,052 3,000 8,069 16,002 10,000 
			 UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) 19,366 18,303 22,221 31,928 24,712 
			 UN Development Programme(UNDP) 44,934 42,791 43,039 52,768 52,919 
			 UNESCO 13,293 11,440 10,841 11,765 549 
			 UN High Commission for Refugees 14,432 14,484 19,916 20,193 20,040 
			 UN Industrial Development Organisation 3,560 3,846 3,844 4,783 4,351 
			 UN Population Fund 9,000 18,100 20,038 30,000 25,000 
			 World Food Programme 8 1415 2,566 5,053 2,780 
			 World Health Organisation 34,135 33,777 30,039 45,141 59,045 
			 Other UN Agencies 4,115 5,885 5,985 7,203 18,305 
			 Total 184,651 203,339 214,421 312,029 307,953

Zimbabwe: Overseas Aid

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with Zimbabwean authorities on the provision of humanitarian assistance to that country.

Douglas Alexander: Providing humanitarian assistance in Zimbabwe has been extremely challenging in recent months due to Mugabe's callous suspension of most relief operations. Department for International Development (DFID) officials have been working closely with the UN, EC and NGOs, in Zimbabwe and internationally, to lobby for an immediate resumption of all humanitarian activities, including food aid for up to 2 million Zimbabweans. As a result of these efforts, the Zimbabwean Government have finally allowed humanitarian agencies to resume their essential support. We are now closely monitoring the situation on the ground to assess humanitarian needs and ensure our partners can access the most vulnerable Zimbabweans.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff his Department has based in Afghanistan, other than those engaged locally; and how many of those hold a qualification in Dari or Pashto.

David Miliband: The UK employs a broad range of staff in support of the Government of Afghanistan to help develop a stable and secure Afghanistan. More than 100 civilian staff in Kabul and more than 40 staff in Helmand are employed from across the Government, including the Stabilisation Unit, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), the Department for International Development and the Afghanistan Drugs Inter-Departmental Unit. Their roles include work in governance, stabilisation, reconstruction and development, security sector reform and counter narcotics.
	As at July 2008, seven members of staff from the FCO had qualifications in Dari or Pashto and a further seven members of staff were studying the languages.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many pictures of Afghan poppy fields have been taken by the Surveillance, Monitoring, Targeting and Verification project in each year of its operation; how many of these pictures have been used by the Afghan authorities in the fight against narcotics in each year; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The contract for the Survey, Monitoring, Targeting and Verification (SMTV) Project was signed in September 2006. Since its establishment, SMTV has delivered timely and accurate data on poppy cultivation and eradication in Afghanistan for use by HMG to support the Government of Afghanistan's implementation of their National Drug Control Strategy.
	No digital aerial photographs or satellite images were taken during the period of September 2006 to December 2006 as the poppy harvest period was over. In 2007, 12,500 digital aerial photographs and 43 satellite images were taken. In 2008, 135 satellite images were taken. These photographs and images were used to measure poppy cultivation and to target and measure eradication. This data was used by the UK, in concert with the Government of Afghanistan and key international partners, to formulate policy and monitor progress on counter narcotics in Afghanistan.
	Afghan authorities in the Ministry of Counter Narcotics have used map products produced from the photographs. In addition, some photos and images have been used in training programmes for Afghan nationals.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff the British Embassy Drug Team (BEDT) in Afghanistan has; and how often BEDT has met Afghan counter-narcotics officials in the last 12 months.

David Miliband: At present, there are eight staff working in the counter-narcotics team in Kabul (formerly known as the British Embassy Drugs Team) and two working in the counter-narcotics team in Lashkar Gar. However, both teams work closely with a number of other Government organisations, including the Serious Organised Crime Agency, HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for International Development, the Ministry of Defence, as well as a number of consultancy experts who work, in varying degrees, on counter-narcotics.
	At least one member of the counter-narcotics team, and often more, meet Afghan counter-narcotics officials daily. This includes meetings with Ministers in the Ministry of Counter-Narcotics at least once a week.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what expenditure his Department has incurred in establishing and maintaining the British Embassy Drug Team in Afghanistan since its establishment.

David Miliband: The British Embassy Drugs Team was formed in 2003 as part of the established British embassy in Kabul. The salary expenditure incurred in maintaining the British Embassy Drugs Team in Afghanistan is shown below for each financial year since 2003:
	
		
			  Financial year  Number of staff (not all staff were present for the full year)  Total of salaries paid (based on average salaries, excluding personal allowances) () 
			 2007-08 10 294,155 
			 2006-07 10 362,031 
			 2005-06 8 286,761 
			 2004-05 7 257,937 
			 2003-04 7 256,176 
		
	
	These figures do not include the embassy's overhead costs, such as accommodation, security/close protection and administration. These are pooled for the Government's overall efforts in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what expenditure his Department has incurred in establishing and maintaining the Surveillance, Monitoring, Targeting and Verification project since its establishment; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The Survey, Monitoring, Targeting and Verification Project commenced in September 2006. Since then the Government have paid 5,903,990 towards the provision of timely and accurate data on poppy cultivation and eradication in support of the Government of Afghanistan's National Drug Control Strategy.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria his Department used to determine its support for the nomination of General Khodaidad to the post of Minister of Counter-Narcotics in the government of Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The decision on the appointment of General Khodaidad as Minister of Counter Narcotics in Afghanistan was made by the President of Afghanistan in 2007. The UK played no part in this appointment.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which projects his Department sponsors as part of its counter-narcotics programme; what the objectives of each such project are; and how much funding his Department has provided for each such project in the last five years.

David Miliband: The UK has funded more than 500 counter-narcotics projects across the world, including capacity building for anti-narcotics forces in a number of partner countries and strengthening their law enforcement agencies' investigative skills. This also includes an integrated counter-narcotics programme in Afghanistan focussing on: interdiction and enforcement; justice; elimination; counter-narcotics governance; livelihoods and growth; regional activities; and Helmand counter-narcotics work. In total, the UK has spent 159.8 million on our counter-narcotics programme from 2004-08. A further 39.7 million has been earmarked for the current financial year 2008-09.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the Government's counter-narcotics strategy for Afghanistan together with the names of its authors and significant contributors.

David Miliband: The UK's policy is to support the Government of Afghanistan's National Drugs Control Strategy. Our strategy is available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) website at:
	www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/pdf18/fco_national drugcontrolstrategy.
	It was produced by the Afghan Drugs Inter-Departmental Unit, which comprises staff from a variety of Whitehall Government Departments, including the FCO, the Department for International Development, the Home Office, the Ministry of Defence, the Serious Organised Crime Agency and HM Revenue and Customs.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what publicity strategy his Department adopted in respect of the recent deployment of British police officers to Kabul.

Kim Howells: The UK has a comprehensive communications strategy for Afghanistan, including our support for building the rule of law. We have offered several broadcasters and newspapers the opportunity to interview UK police mentors in Kabul and Helmand. We intend to organise press briefings to provide further detail about recently deployed UK police, taking into account the security of the officers concerned.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to consult the relevant Select Committees of the House on any future deployment of British police officers to Kabul; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: There are no plans to make it our policy to consult Select Committees on any future deployment of British police officers to Kabul. The International Development Committee was briefed on the EU Police Mission (EUPOL) in Afghanistan on 17 January 2008. The Government deposits Explanatory Memoranda on EUPOL's legal documents at the relevant times with the House of Commons Parliamentary European Select Committee.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the UK has contributed to the costs of deployment of British police officers in EUPOL Afghanistan.

Kim Howells: In addition to our assessed contribution of 5,490,370 (financial year 200-08), the UK meets all personnel-related costs of seconding British officers to the EU Police mission in Afghanistan. As at July 2008, this amounted to a spend of 959,000 on seconded personnel.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the EU police mission in Afghanistan; which states are contributing to the mission; and how much each state is contributing.

Kim Howells: holding answer 22 July 2008
	As at July 2008, the EU Police Mission to Afghanistan (EUPOL) was making steady progress towards full deployment and had a presence in 14 provinces. The Mission is developing important working relationships with the US police teaming programme. Personnel from EUPOL are also working with the International Policing Co-ordination Board to develop a shared vision for the role of the Afghan police and with the US to strengthen the capability of the Afghan Ministry of Interior, both of which will be key to the success of police reform. In recognition of the importance of EUPOL and the role it plays in police reform in Afghanistan, the Government supported the ambition to significantly increase the size of the mission as agreed in May 2008. As at July, 18 states were seconding personnel to EUPOL. This breaks down as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 Canada 11 
			 Croatia 1 
			 Czech Republic 5 
			 Denmark 8 
			 Estonia 1 
			 Finland 9 
			 France 4 
			 Germany 34 
			 Hungary 3 
			 Italy 17 
			 Lithuania 3 
			 Netherlands 5 
			 Norway 2 
			 Poland 3 
			 Romania 3 
			 Spain 11 
			 Sweden 8 
			 UK 10 
		
	
	Contributing states meet all personnel costs for seconded staff bilaterally and therefore we do not hold information on these costs.

Afghanistan: Police

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in establishing the Afghan national police; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: holding answer 22 July 2008
	At 28 March 2008, according to figures provided by the US, total strength of the Afghan police was approximately 78,000 personnel and the force was deployed in every province in Afghanistan.
	The International Policing Coordination Board (IPCB) is working to develop a vision for the Afghan police that will define its future role in both law enforcement and counter insurgency operations. The IPCB includes representatives from the Afghan Ministry of Interior, the US and the EU and other actors. The US is pursuing a police reform programme called Focused District Development which provides equipment, training and mentoring in law enforcement techniques to police officers at the tactical level. The EU, through the European Policing mission to Afghanistan, provides framing and mentoring for the Afghan police at the strategic and regional levels.
	The Afghan police play a vital role in the counter insurgency campaign and regularly support the Afghan national army on operations.
	While the force suffers from major problems such as low levels of literacy and corruption, its performance is improving.

China: Earthquakes

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of  (a) Chinese and  (b) Tibetans (i) killed and (ii) injured in the recent earthquake whose epicentre was on the borders of the Tibetan Ngaba Autonomous Prefecture.

Meg Munn: At the time, official Chinese estimates of the number of fatalities, as a result of the earthquake in Sichuan Province, was 69,197. The Chinese estimate for injuries was 374,176 and 18,340 estimated missing. We do not have figures broken down by ethnic group.
	My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed the relief effort with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang on 12 June. The Government provided around 2.55 million at the time in assistance as well as sending a medical team to participate in the relief effort.

China: Politics and Government

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Chinese Government to ensure that it uses the name Taiwan, in Chinese, Chinese Taipei, instead of Taipei, China, and that English and Chinese versions used are the same.

Meg Munn: This is a matter for the International Olympic Committee (IOC). But the name used by Taiwan in international sporting events has been agreed by the IOC, Taiwan and China and we would expect all parties involved to abide by this agreement. The Chinese authorities have stated that the form Chinese Taipei, and the agreed equivalent in Chinese, will be used in all official venues and in official correspondence, as required.

Commonwealth Scholarships

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from other Commonwealth countries on his decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth Scholarship Fund.

Jim Murphy: The Canadian Government expressed regret at the decision and asked us to reconsider it. We have explained the steps we are taking to identify additional funding for scholarships for Canada, in addition to the existing allocation of Chevening scholarships, once we stop funding new awards through the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan after the 2008-09 academic year. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not received any representations from other Commonwealth Governments.
	The Government's overall contribution to Commonwealth scholarships will increase over the next three yearsfrom 16.9 million in 2007-08 to 17.9 million in 2008-09; about 18 million in 2009-10; and over 17.5 million in 2010-11because the Department for International Development is increasing its contribution for scholars from developing Commonwealth countries.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Diplomatic Service

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the Government will make representations to seek to ensure that the salary arrears of former diplomats from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who are now British citizens are paid by the Government of the DRC.

Meg Munn: We have raised the issue of the payment of outstanding debts, including salary arrears, owed by the embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), on a number of occasions and will continue to press the embassy to settle them. We have been advised by the embassy that the issue of salaries owed to former diplomats at the embassy should be pursued by the former diplomats themselves directly with the Government of the DRC.

Departmental Alcoholic Drinks

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures are in place in his Department to monitor expenditure on alcohol for hospitality purposes.

Meg Munn: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Hoon) on 1 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1638W. Government Hospitality is part of the Protocol directorate in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and, as such, is subjected to the same monitoring procedures as other Departments.

Departmental Alcoholic Drinks

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what purchasing process is used by his Department for the procurement of alcohol for hospitality purposes.

Meg Munn: Government Hospitality in Protocol directorate, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), is advised in its wine purchasing by the Government Hospitality Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine (GHACPW). The GHACPW offers advice according to the requirements of the Government cellar, wine market prices, the availability of individual wines and vintages and their quality. The level of expenditure on wines and spirits is the responsibility of the Head of Government Hospitality. The GHACPW offers its advice based on 'blind' tastings of samples acquired from a range of British wine merchants.
	The GHACPW does not provide advice on expenditure for the purchase of wine for other hospitality carried out by the FCO.

Departmental Computers

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of  (a) the number of computer devices left on overnight in his Department when not in use and  (b) the cost of leaving computer devices on overnight when not in use in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The instruction to leave personal computers switched on, referred to in my reply to the hon. Member on 16 June 2008,  Official Report, columns 665-66W, applies to all Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff. There are approximately 12,000 personal computers in use in FCO offices around the world. Allowing for exceptions and shared use by shift workers, an estimate of 10,000 machines left on overnight is reasonable, but untested.
	In 2007 power consumption tests based on the range of personal computers then in use suggested an average of 80 watts for each personal computer(assuming 14 idle hours per day for each of the 10,000 personal computers gives an overall estimate of approximately four million kilowatts per hour per annum). This cannot readily be converted to a cash equivalent, as different tariffs apply in the countries around the world in which the FCO is represented. This level of consumption would have been broadly constant during the past five years. It has been our assessment that the risk of lost productivity and the risk to national security that this policy avoids outweighed its cost.
	As explained in my earlier answer, the consumption is expected to fall substantially as old equipment is replaced. To date, approximately 3,500 new machines have been installed in offices in the UK. Under current plans all 12,000 machines worldwide should have been replaced by 2009. In addition to this, we will be applying global policies to ensure a reduction in power consumption.

Departmental Furniture

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many  (a) chairs,  (b) desks and  (c) other office furnishings have been purchased by his Department and its agencies in each of the last five years; and at what cost in each case.

Meg Munn: Records for how many chairs, desks and other office furnishings purchased by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its agencies are not held centrally. It would not be possible to obtain this information without incurring a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Pay

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was claimed in reimbursable expenses by press officers in his Department and its agencies in each of the last three financial years.

Meg Munn: The amount claimed in reimbursable expenses (travel, accommodation and official entertainment) by staff working in the press office at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London in each of the last three financial years is shown in the following table:
	
		
			
			 2005-06 11,738 
			 2006-07 5,832 
			 2007-08 11,616

Departmental Postal Services

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to monitor the cost of its mail services in the last 12 months.

Meg Munn: Mail charges are checked monthly by managers of departments. These details are forwarded to the appropriate finance management unit who monitor usage.

Departmental Public Participation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what  (a) listening exercises and  (b) public forums his Department has held in each of the last two years; what the (i) purpose and (ii) cost was in each case; and who the private contractor was and how much it was paid in each case.

David Miliband: As part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Strategy Refresh, we invited members of the public to contribute their views on three big questions: where should the UK concentrate its global effort; where are we most needed; and where can we most effect change. The replies to these questions, and other stakeholders' views, were fed into the deliberations of the FCO's Strategy Refresh exercise.
	Engaging with stakeholders is an important part of FCO policy formulation and delivery and we are developing new methods of enhancing dialogue with the public in the UK and overseas.
	We also use our FCO web platform
	www.fco.gov.uk
	to seek views from the public, for example on new forced marriage guidelines, on next year's human rights report and on the FCO's Engagement publication. In addition our web log (blog), available at
	http://blogs.fco.gov.uk
	offers an ongoing chance for members of the public to contribute to our thinking, sending their comments directly to the official or Minister responsible for the policy. All of these exercises are run using FCO resources.

Departmental Public Participation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what  (a) reviews and  (b) public consultations have been initiated by his Department since 27 June 2007.

David Miliband: I launched a refresh of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's strategy on 19 July 2007 in my speech at Chatham House. This was not a formal review but an exercise undertaken internally, drawing on input from the general public and key stakeholders. The input from these groups did not constitute a formal consultation but a listening exercise (my answer to written parliamentary question 221351 refers). I announced the outcome of the strategy review to the House on 23 January 2008.

Departmental Research

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proportion of his Department's budget was used for research within its areas of responsibility in each of the last 10 years.

Meg Munn: Research in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is primarily undertaken by FCO research analysts, who provide analysis and advice to Departments. The proportion of the FCO's budget spent on research analysts for the last four financial years is shown as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage of the FCO budget 
			 2004-05 0.002 
			 2005-06 0.002 
			 2006-07 0.002 
			 2007-08 0.002 
		
	
	Data for years preceding 2004-05 is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Research is also conducted by individual directorates, Departments and posts and funded from devolved budgets. Information relating to the proportion of these budgets used for research is not held centrally and can therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Responsibilities

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which projects his Department has commissioned from  (a) think tanks and  (b) charities in each of the last two years for which figures are available; what the aim of each project was; which think tank or charity was commissioned; and how much was paid.

David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has regular contacts with think tanks and charities and often works with them to deliver our objectives. The specific information requested is not held centrally and to gather it would incur disproportionate costs. However, figures for the total project spend on each of the Departmental Strategic Objectives are freely available in the FCO's Annual Report (pages 118-140).

Departmental Sick Leave

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what percentage of staff in his Department have had more than two periods of sickness absence of less than five days in each of the last three years.

Meg Munn: Thirty-nine UK civil servants employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and FCO services have had two or more periods of sickness absence of less than five days in each of the last three years up to 31 July 2008. This represents 0.7 per cent. of the FCO's UK-based work force.

Departmental Sick Leave

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff in his Department have had five or more periods of sickness absence of less than five days in two or more of the last five years.

Meg Munn: In the period 1 January 2005 to 31 July 2008, 45 UK civil servants (0.75 per cent. of UK-based staff) employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) or FCO services had five or more periods of sickness absence of less than five days in two or more of these years.
	The FCO does not hold records of sickness absence before 1 January 2005.
	We monitor sickness absence closely. Long periods of sick leave trigger a reduction in pay (of 50 per cent.) and eventually loss of salary altogether.

Developing Countries: Charities

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance his Department provides to charitable organisations on the direction of their operations in third-world countries.

Meg Munn: Our diplomatic missions regularly provide specific advice to charitable organisations wishing to work in their host countries. We are most commonly consulted for general travel and security advice but also regularly advise on the general political conditions, including the most efficient and effective means of delivering aid to the country. Beyond this, we would also encourage non-governmental organisations to carry out their own independent checks in line with industry best practice.
	This advice would normally be delivered by the Department for International Development, but where they are not represented, this role is played by our embassy or high commission. More general information is also accessible through our website on a range of issues that may affect them, including travel advice, political structure, security environment and economic conditions.
	Non-governmental organisations are, of course, not obliged to seek this advice or to stay in close contact with our embassy or high commission and some choose not to do so. Although we maintain a good relationship with non-governmental organisations overseas, we are careful to respect their independence and are not in a position to dictate the way in which they deliver their aid.
	Where projects are funded or part funded by the Government, however, we have considerable say in how aid is directed. In some cases the Government use non-governmental organisations as conduits for essential UK aid, particularly in countries where we lack confidence in the host Government's ability or willingness to distribute aid to the most needy. It is, in general, difficult for host Governments to divert aid administered through non-governmental organisations for political or military purposes.

Diego Garcia: Detainees

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 7 May 2008,  Official Report, columns 932-33W, on Diego Garcia: detainees, what investigation his Department has carried out into the allegations relating to the USS Bataan and the USNS Stockholm.

Kim Howells: Pursuant to my answer of 7 May 2008,  Official Report, columns 932-33W, during the course of our most recent exchanges, the US have confirmed to us that they have not held any detainees on ships within the territorial waters of Diego Garcia since 11 September 2001. They have also informed us that they do not operate detention facilities for terrorist suspects onboard ships. US naval vessels were used in the early days of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan to screen and temporarily hold a very small number of individuals pending their transfer to land-based detention facilities. The US has informed us that these ships were not located within the territorial waters of Diego Garcia. We are not aware of any of these ships being supplied from the island.
	In a matter unrelated to terrorist suspects, the US have informed us that they apprehended pirates on ships in the vicinity of the Horn of Africa and that these individuals were detained on US Naval vessels pending their delivery to the land of a nation with jurisdiction to try them.

Diplomatic Service: Education

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what percentage of British ambassadors and high commissioners were educated at  (a) a private school,  (b) a state school,  (c) the universities of Oxford and Cambridge and  (d) other universities.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold this data as a matter of course on its employees. The data have been collected in order to answer this question. As at July 2008, two Heads of Mission posts were vacant.
	
		
			  Educational background of serving Heads of Mission and Governors (by school) 
			  School  Total  Percentage 
			 Private 82 52 
			 State 54 35 
			 Data unavailable 19 12 
			 Vacant 2 1 
		
	
	
		
			  Educational background of serving Heads of Mission and Governors (by university) 
			  University  Total  Percentage 
			 Oxford and Cambridge 83 53 
			 Other universities 41 26 
			 Did not attend university 11 12 
			 Data unavailable 20 8 
			 Vacant 2 1

France: Embassies

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the cost was of maintaining the Embassy in Paris was in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2007.

Jim Murphy: The total cost of maintaining our embassy buildings in Paris between 2005 and 2007 was:
	
		
			
			 2005-06 708,678 
			 2006-07 819,002 
			 2007-08 804,445 
		
	
	These figures relate to the cost of maintaining our embassy, consulate and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development offices in Paris. Our embassy in Paris also undertook essential fire safety work in 2007-08 at a one-off cost of 231,000.

Gaza: Energy

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much the EU has provided to Israel for fuel and electricity for Gaza in the last 12 months; and whether such payments are made in advance of delivery.

Kim Howells: The EU provided 89.5 million in fuel to the Gaza power station over the period 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008. This funding was provided by the European Commission. All payments were made after the delivery of the fuel took place.

Iceland: Whales

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the issue of whaling was raised during his meeting with the Icelandic Foreign Minister on 12 May; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for Europe (Mr. Murphy), gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) on 12 June 2008,  Official Report, column 436W.

Iceland: Whales

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations the Government have made to the Icelandic Government on the possible resumption of whaling in Iceland.

Meg Munn: When my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met with Icelandic Prime Minister Geir H. Haarde on 24 April, he raised the whaling issue and explained our view that the whaling industry was doing significant damage to Iceland's international reputation. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister also pointed to the significant economic and social benefits from Iceland's growing whale-watching industry and expressed the view that any decision to recommence whaling could seriously undermine those benefits.
	I also refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Minister for Europe, (Mr. Murphy) gave to the hon. Member for Moray (Angus Robertson) on 12 June 2008,  Official Report, column 436W. As the Minister for Europe's response made clear, he raised whaling with the Icelandic Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Gsladttir on 12 May.
	On 25 June, our ambassador to Iceland published an article in the Icelandic press entitled 'What on earth is the point to whaling'. Although written from a personal view, the article makes clear the UK position on whaling: we strongly support the International Whaling Commission moratorium on commercial whaling and oppose all forms of whaling, other than limited whaling operations by indigenous people for subsistence purposes, to meet a defined and substantiated need. The article also makes clear the UK's position that neither a domestic nor international market exists for Icelandic whaling products.
	Our new ambassador to Iceland also raised the whaling issue with the Prime Minister of Iceland at their meeting on 14 July.

Iran: Nuclear Weapons

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 24 June 2008,  Official Report, columns 147-8W, on Iran (nuclear programme), what the evidential basis is for his statement that sanctions are having an effect on the Iranian economy; and what effect such sanctions are having.

David Miliband: There is much anecdotal evidence from sources inside Iran that the financial measures, including asset freezes imposed by UN Security Council resolutions and reinforced by the EU, have affected the Iranian business community's ability to function effectively in some areas. They have disrupted the international operations of a number of Iranian companies and those Iranian banks named in the sanctions. According to our sources, restrictions on dual use goods have led to difficulties in sourcing spare parts in the Iranian power sector.
	Sanctions have also partly contributed to a slowdown in inward foreign investment in the Iranian oil and gas sector. There is now a growing debate inside Iran about the Iranian Government's policies, including on economic management. Internal discontent about the Iranian economy is increasing in the light of accelerating inflation rates (approximately 26 per cent. as at August 2008), unemployment and frequent power cuts. We believe further measures on Iran must remain part of the current twin track diplomatic approach to persuade the Iranian regime that its continued defiance of UN Security Council resolutions will not be cost free.

Iran: Politics and Government

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which members of the Iranian government  (a) he and  (b) his Ministers have met in the last year; and where each meeting took place.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had three meetings with his Iranian counterpart, Manouchehr Mottaki, in the last yearin the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2007, in the margins of the World Economic Forum in Davos on 26 January 2008 and in the margins of the Iraq Neighbours Conference in Kuwait on 22 April 2008. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary also spoke to Foreign Minister Mottaki by telephone on 26 February 2008. I have also met the Iranian Foreign Minister in the margins of various conferences and meet with the Iranian ambassador occasionally.

Iran: Sanctions

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the efforts of Brigadier-General Mohammed Reza Naqdi to get round UN sanctions on Iran were, as referred to in Annex 1 of UN Security Council Resolution 1803 (2008).

David Miliband: Brigadier General Mohammed Reza Naqdi was sanctioned for his role as the head of state anti-smuggling headquarters, engaged in efforts to get round the sanctions imposed by UN Security Council Resolutions 1737 and 1747.  Iran Daily quoted Naqdi on 23 April 2007 as saying,
	after the new round of pressures (that is, sanctions) on Iran we have decided to provide all needs by ourselves and kill the enemy's slightest hope of achieving its goals. We are going to take advantage of these opportunities against embargoes.
	The Islamic Republic News Agency noted on 22 September 2007 that Naqdi admitted Iran exported arms without specifying the target destination, saying
	no seller unveils his customer.

Iraq: Asylum

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will ensure that the applications to enter the UK from the group of Iraqi interpreters, who arrived in Amman, Jordan on 21 April 2008, will be decided before their Jordanian visas expire on 20 July; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: Five former interpreters and their families who moved to Amman on 21 April have now arrived in the UK. The other cases are being processed as quickly as possible but clearance procedures have not yet been completed. We are working to secure assurances that the individuals will be granted permission to remain in Jordan until the processing of their cases is completed. The Government will reimburse the cost of extending their visas.

Iraq: Asylum

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1826W, on Iraq: asylum, how many of the 422 applications received by the UK Border Agency from Iraqi nationals under the Gateway Protection Programme have been approved.

Kim Howells: Applications received from former locally engaged staff for assistance under the Gateway Programme are being processed as quickly as possible. As at July 2008, applications from thirteen former staff and their families had been approved.

Iraq: Asylum

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1826W, on Iraq: asylum, against which criterion of the Locally Employed Staff Assistance Scheme the most applications from former Iraqi staff have been rejected.

Kim Howells: Not having completed 12 months employment as locally engaged (LE) members of staff was the most common reason why former LE staff who had applied for assistance were subsequently assessed as being ineligible.

Iraq: Asylum

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1826W, on Iraq: asylum, how many applications for assistance under the Locally Employed Staff Assistance Scheme have been received from  (a) Jordan,  (b) Syria,  (c) the United Arab Emirates,  (d) Bahrain,  (e) Kuwait,  (f) Lebanon,  (g) Canada,  (h) Thailand,  (i) Germany,  (j) Denmark,  (k) Sweden,  (l) India and  (m) the United Kingdom; and how many applications from each country have been approved.

Kim Howells: The number of applications received from each of the countries, together with the number approved for assistance, is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
			   Total  Approved  Rejected 
			 Jordan 4 2 2 
			 Syria 28 13 15 
			 United Arab Emirates 5 4 1 
			 Bahrain 1 0 1 
			 Kuwait 2 1 1 
			 Lebanon 1 0 1 
			 Canada 3 1 2 
			 Thailand 1 0 1 
			 Germany 1 0 1 
			 Denmark 6 3 3 
			 Sweden 4 2 2 
			 India 1 1 0 
			 UK 4 2 2 
		
	
	We have also received applications from the following:
	
		
			  Number 
			   Total  Approved  Rejected 
			 Netherlands 1 1 0 
			 Malaysia 1 0 1 
			 Ukraine 1 1 0 
			 USA 4 3 (1)1 
			 Turkey 1 0 1 
			 Australia 1 1 0 
			 (1) Decision pending

Israel: EU External Relations

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria are used to determine whether Israeli representation is relevant in particular working groups established by the EU-Israel Association Council; and in which working groups such representation is considered relevant.

Kim Howells: Under the auspices of the EU/Israel Association Council, on 16 June, a broad range of areas for closer engagement was identified, as set out in the Association Council statement. Israel will be represented in working groups in the areas established by the Association Council.

Israel: EU External Relations

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs at what stage in its development he expects hon. Members to have the opportunity to scrutinise the next European Neighbourhood Action Plan regarding the EU-Israel Association Council; and if he will take steps to ensure that such an opportunity is provided before the action plan is agreed at EU level.

Jim Murphy: The current EU-Israel Action Plan has been rolled over for a further year. The EU/Israel Association Council will seek to agree a successor to this action plan in early 2009.
	The existing 12 European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) country action plans have been agreed between the European Commission and ENP partner countries and are reviewed periodically by the EU through the publication of EU country progress reports prepared by the Commission, most recently in April 2008.
	Hon. Members scrutinise the overarching Association Agreements between the EU and partner countries, as these cover areas of mixed competence. As ENP action plans, which are neither legal texts nor international agreements, are drawn up by the Commission on the mandate given to them by the member states, hon. Members do not have the opportunity to scrutinise the plans, although the progress reports are subject to scrutiny.

Israel: EU Trade

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent to which settlement products have benefited from the mutual trade concessions agreed between EU and Israel for agricultural products, processed agricultural products or fisheries.

Kim Howells: It has been brought to our attention that goods from illegal Israeli settlements may be entering the UK under false pretences and without paying the correct customs duties. We have discussed this issue with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, the Palestinian General Delegation in London and non-governmental organisations. We take this issue seriously and have alerted HM Revenue and Customs to it so that it can take appropriate action.

Israel: EU Trade

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the extent to which products from the Palestinian Territories exported through Israel have benefited from the mutual trade concessions agreed between the EU and Israel for agricultural products, processed agricultural products or fisheries.

Kim Howells: Palestinian goods from the Palestinian Territories benefit from preferential customs arrangements through the EU-Palestinian Interim Association Agreement. However, obstacles to movement are such that virtually no produce has been imported in this way.
	We take seriously reports that agricultural products produced on illegal settlements in the West Bank are exported via Israel with the goods documented as Israeli, so benefiting from the EU-Israel agreement.

Israel: Human Rights

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of proposals for an EU-Israel Association Council Sub-Committee on Human Rights; what agreement has been reached on its  (a) constitution,  (b) membership,  (c) powers,  (d) remit and  (e) proposed frequency of meetings; whether external organisations will be permitted to provide evidence of alleged human rights abuses to the Sub-Committee; whether the proceedings of the Sub-Committee will be published; whether its findings on human rights abuses will be reported to the Association Council; and in what ways the Sub-Committee will differ from the informal Working Group on Human Rights.

Kim Howells: The EU proposed to upgrade the current Human Rights working group into a formal political sub-committee at the EU-Israel Association Council of 16 June. There has been no formal response from Israel. The exact structure, operating procedures and reporting policy require the agreement of both parties.

Israel: Human Rights

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what issues were discussed at the EU-Israel Association Council's informal working group on human rights on 30 April 2008; what the outcomes of the meeting were; and whether the group recommended specific actions on the Government of Israel's part.

Kim Howells: The informal working group on human rights, on 30 April, discussed a wide range of the EU's concerns with Israel's human rights record. To encourage a full and frank discussion of the issues, a public record of the meeting and its outcomes is not released.

Israel: Law

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the compatibility of Israeli law with EU and international law in the areas of  (a) torture and  (b) the territorial boundaries of Israel in the context of the proposals made at the eighth meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council on EU-Israel relations.

Kim Howells: The UK abides by its commitments under international law, including the UN Convention Against Torture, and expects all other countries to comply with their international obligations.
	We have made it clear that we consider settlement building anywhere in the occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem, as illegal under international law and that we are deeply concerned by recent announcements of plans and tenders for settlement building.

Israel: Overseas Students

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the 80 Israeli students who have received scholarships under the Erasmus Mundus exchange programme, how many were of  (a) Jewish,  (b) Arab and  (c) Druze ethnicity; and how many were from institutions wholly or partly located in settlements in (i) East Jerusalem and (ii) the West Bank.

Kim Howells: The Erasmus Mundus exchange programme is a scheme run by the European Commission. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold any information on the participants in this programme.

Kosovo

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's budget is for expenditure in Kosovo on  (a) embassy staff and other operational costs,  (b) support for the British Council,  (c) technical assistance to the (i) government of Kosovo and (ii) non-governmental organisations working in Kosovo,  (d) budgetary support for (A) the government of Kosovo and (B) non-governmental bodies working in Kosovo,  (e) support for (1) UNMIK, (2) EULEX, (3) ICO, (4) OSCE and (5) other international bodies and  (f) other costs in the 2008-09 financial year.

Jim Murphy: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) budget for expenditure is 1.1 million on embassy staff and other operational costs and around 200,000 on support for the British Council in the 2008-09 financial year. Technical assistance to the Kosovo Government is provided through a combination of FCO bilateral funding, project activities under the joint FCO/Department for International Development/Ministry of Defence Conflict Prevention Pool and the FCO's Strategic Programme Fund. The total budgets for expenditure for these three funds in the 2008-09 financial year are: 76,000; up to 3.8 million; and 110,000 respectively. Our work with non-governmental organisations in Kosovo is also funded from the Conflict Prevention Pool and the Strategic Programme Fund. The FCO does not provide budgetary support for the government of Kosovo and non-governmental bodies working in Kosovo.
	The UN Mission in Kosovo's approved budget for the 2008-09 financial year is US$198 million, of which the UK's contribution is 7.9 per cent. or US$14.8 million (around 7.4 million). The EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo's (EULEX) approved commitment appropriation for calendar year 2008 is 140 million, of which the UK's contribution is 17 per cent. or 23.8 million (around 18.9 million). The actual amount spent on EULEX in 2008-09 will not be known until the end of the financial year. The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Mission in Kosovo's (OMIK) approved budget for calendar year 2008 is just over 30 million, of which the UK's contribution is 11.09 per cent. or 3.3 million (around 2.6 million). The budget for calendar year 2009 is yet to be approved but in UK financial year 2007-08, the UK contribution to OMIK was 3.7 million. We would not expect this level to be exceeded in 2008-09.
	We have provisionally budgeted for a total of 76 UK secondees to EULEX in 2008-09 at an estimated cost of 5.3 million and for a total of five UK secondees to the International Civilian Organisation at an estimated cost of 377,000. We have one UK secondee to OMIK at a cost of around 70,000 per annum.

Kosovo: Diplomatic Service

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials are based at the UK Embassy in Kosovo; to which departments they are attached; and whether there are any posts unfilled.

Jim Murphy: Eleven UK-based officials are posted to our embassy in Pristina. All are Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff. There are currently no posts unfilled.

Kosovo: Overseas Aid

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which areas the government of the Republic of Kosovo has requested assistance from his Department in the last 12 months.

Jim Murphy: We are in regular contact with the government of Kosovo, both bilaterally through our embassy in Pristina and in appropriate multilateral forums. We have provided extensive advice and assistance on a range of issues over the last 12 months including in areas such as Government accountability, international co-operation and co-ordination, rule of law, stability and conflict prevention, and jobs and growth. We continue to support the Government of Kosovo they build the strong institutions it will need to achieve the stability and prosperity all her people deserve.

Kosovo: Politics and Government

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British personnel are seconded to or otherwise engaged with  (a) UNMIK,  (b) EULEX,  (c) ICO and  (d) each other international body in Kosovo; and what role each is undertaking.

Jim Murphy: As of July 2008,46 UK police officers were serving with the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). 24 contracted UK staff members were serving with UNMTK and performing the following roles:
	2 international prosecutors;
	senior legal officer;
	legal officer;
	court recorder;
	Head of the Penal Management Division;
	senior Civil Affairs officer;
	2 Civil Affairs officers;
	Chief telecommunications engineer;
	Political Affairs officer;
	Operations officer;
	Public Information officer;
	Outreach officer;
	Five security officers;
	Interpreter / Translator;
	Chief of Administrative Services;
	Acting Chief;
	Support officer; and
	Secretary.
	27 UK police officers will transfer from UNMIK to the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) where they will be joined by another six officers. As at July 2008,
	there were 18 seconded and 33 contracted UK staff members serving with EULEX.
	The seconded staff had the following roles:
	Deputy Head of EULEX;
	Chief Reporting officer;
	Anti-Corruption expert;
	Security, Economic Management / Penal Administration expert;
	Customs Law Enforcement advisor;
	Senior Security Information analyst;
	Police Liaison officer (Brussels-based);
	Legal Advisor, Legal Policy and Legislation Unit;
	Criminal Judge, District Court;
	Legal officer, District Court;
	3 Court recorders;
	Deputy Chief Programme manager;
	Programme manager;
	Public Outreach officer;
	Policy officer; and
	International secretary to the Head of EULEX.
	We do not hold details of the roles performed by contracted UK staff.
	There were three seconded and one contracted UK staff members serving with the International Civilian Office (ICO) and performing the roles below at the time:
	Head of the ICO's Mitrovica office;
	Head of the Press and Public Affairs Division;
	EU Co-ordinator and Political Adviser to the EU Special Representative (Brussels-based); and
	Human Resources officer.
	As of July 2008, there was one seconded UK staff member serving with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe Mission in Kosovo (OMIK) as Head of the Regional Centre to OMIK in Mitrovica.

Kosovo: Politics and Government

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the legal basis is of the  (a) UNMIK,  (b) EULEX and (c) ICO missions in Kosovo; and how long each lasts.

Jim Murphy: UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1244 (1999) authorises the UN Secretary-General, with the assistance of relevant international organisations, to establish an international civilian presence in Kosovo and authorises that presence to maintain civil law and order, including through the deployment of international police personnel. The UN Mission in Kososvo (UNMIK) continues to operate under this legal basis. The provisions of UNSCR 1244 (1999) remain in place until the Security Council decides otherwise.
	The EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) has deployed to Kosovo in response to an invitation from the Government in Kosovo for a police and rule of law mission in accordance with the UN Special Envoy's Comprehensive Settlement Proposal. EULEX is established under Title V of the Treaty on European Union. In co-operation with UNMIK, EULEX will take on part of the role envisaged in UNSCR 1244 (1999) for the international civilian presence and it accordingly also draws upon the authority of that resolution. The European Council's Joint Action 2008/124/CFSP of 4 February 2008, which established EULEX, states that the European Council shall evaluate, not later than six months after the start of the operational phase, whether EULEX should be extended.
	The International Civilian Office (ICO) operates on the basis of an invitation from the Government of Kosovo in accordance with the UN Special Envoy's Comprehensive Settlement Proposal. The Proposal provides for a review of the ICO's operations after two years.

Kosovo: Politics and Government

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy objectives are for its engagement with the Republic of Kosovo.

Jim Murphy: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's overall policy objective is a stable, prosperous, multi-ethnic and democratic Kosovo committed to the rule of law, which has implemented the UN Special Envoy's Comprehensive Settlement Proposal and is making progress towards the EU and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

Kosovo: Recognition of States

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many countries have recognised the Republic of Kosovo; and what steps he is taking to assist the Government of Kosovo to increase the number.

Jim Murphy: At the time of writing 43 countries have recognised the Republic of Kosovo, including 20 in the EU and seven of the Group of Eight leading industrialised nations (G8). The UK is taking opportunities as they arise in bilateral discussions and multilateral forums, working closely with like-minded international partners and alongside the Government of Kosovo, to encourage further recognition.

Languages

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what budget allocation his Department has made for language training for its staff in 2008-09.

David Miliband: The budget allocation for language training for staff in 2008-09 is 4,030,000.

Languages

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 18 June 2008,  Official Report, columns 924-5W, on languages, how many of those employed by his Department, other than those engaged locally, have  (a) received training and  (b) held a qualification in Dari or Pashto; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: Since April 2005, 34 members of staff of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) have received language training in Dari or Pashto. As at July 2008, seven FCO staff were receiving language training in Dari or Pashto. This covers all job slots currently identified as requiring the need to speak Dari or Pashto. All other staff use locally engaged translators when required.

Languages

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 18 June 2008,  Official Report, columns 924-5W, on languages, how many of those employed by his Department, other than those engaged locally, are receiving language training in  (a) Arabic,  (b) Farsi,  (c) Dari or Pashto,  (d) Mandarin,  (e) Swahili and  (f) Japanese.

David Miliband: The following table shows the total number of Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff receiving language training in June 2008 in the specified languages:
	
		
			  Language  Number of staff receiving language training 
			 Arabic 31 
			 Farsi 8 
			 Dari or Pashto 7 
			 Mandarin 16 
			 Swahili 2 
			 Japanese 10

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps the Government have taken to assist the peace process between Israel and Palestine; and what recent discussions he has had with the Israeli and Palestinian Governments on the matter.

Kim Howells: holding answer 21 July 2008
	The UK provides strong political support to the peace process urging both sides to negotiate towards a two-state solution and to put a stop to their actions which undermine it. In particular, we urge the parties to address the restrictions that Israel imposes on the movement and access of Palestinians and the ongoing violent attacks perpetrated by Palestinian militants against Israel.
	My right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary have visited the region recently and we are in frequent contact with both authorities in order to do what we can to encourage a robust peace resolution.
	We also provide assistance to the Palestinian Authority to develop their governance structures, economy and security efforts. A viable economy and a reliable security force are the integral foundations of any future Palestinian state.

Nigeria: Armed Conflict

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has made proposals for the instigation of peace talks in the Niger Delta in Nigeria; and what representations he has received from human rights organisations on this matter.

Meg Munn: The Government stand ready to support the Government of Nigeria in their peace initiatives for the Niger Delta region. In a meeting with my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 16 July, President Yar'Adua confirmed his commitment to a peace process that will address the need for reconciliation between all parties and deliver improved development across the region. Addressing the underlying causes of the crisis in the Niger Delta, namely poor governance, instability and underdevelopment, will be vital to the success of the peace process. The UK encourages the Nigerian Government to address the situation in the Niger Delta as a priority and urges all parties to engage in peaceful dialogue towards the resolution of the crisis.
	Officials from our high commission in Abuja regularly talk to Nigerian and international human rights organisations on a range of topics including the Niger Delta. The UK keeps a close watch on human rights abuses in Nigeria and regularly raises specific issues with the Nigerian Government.

Nigeria: Oil

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the effects of militant attacks in Nigeria on overall Nigerian oil output; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: Following discussions with Nigerian authorities and oil companies, officials from our high commission in Abuja estimate that Nigerian short-term production capacity stands at 2.6 million barrels per day, with the potential to rise to 4 million barrels per day. However, production has recently dropped to approximately 1.5 million barrels per day. Not all of this shortfall can be attributed to security concerns. A proportion is due to under-investment by the Federal government in existing oil exploration and production projects. This shortfall in production has consequences for the international oil markets and for the Nigerian and global economies, particularly in the context of high oil prices.
	My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister met President Yar'Adua on 16 July in Downing street. In a joint-statement, he expressed his support of the Nigerian Government in their peace initiatives. He committed to working with the Government of Nigeria to identify training and advisory support which would help to improve the Nigerian capability to provide security in the Niger Delta and to support longer-term development measures.

Occupied Territories: Housing

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs following the EU's calls to freeze all settlement activity and dismantle outposts erected since March 2001, how many such outposts have been dismantled; what deadline was given to Israel for compliance; and what steps will be taken in circumstances of continued settlement growth.

Kim Howells: The deadline, as set out in phase 1 of the Roadmap, to freeze all settlement activity was May 2003. We do not hold figures on the number of outposts that have been dismantled. The Israeli withdrawal from Gaza involved the removal of the Israeli settlements and outposts there, but settlements continue to expand in the West Bank. We have repeatedly called on all parties to meet their Roadmap obligations and support the Annapolis negotiations as the best opportunity to move towards a two-state solution.

Occupied Territories: Housing

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of homes which have been built in settlements since the EU's initial call for a halt to Israeli settlement growth.

Kim Howells: We do not keep a breakdown of the number of housing units which are built in settlements.
	However, we are very concerned that there have been a number of new housing tenders issued for illegal Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank since the Annapolis Conference in November 2007. We continue to make clear to the Israeli Government that we view all Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as illegal under international law. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister reiterated our policy on settlements when he addressed the Israeli Knesset on 21 July.

Occupied Territories: Housing

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what public statements he has made on Israeli settlement expansion since the Annapolis peace conference; and which of these related to settlement growth on the Golan Heights.

Kim Howells: The UK continues to make clear that all Israeli settlements in occupied territory are illegal under international law. On 24 June 2008,  Official Report, column 140, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary told the House that
	I have made the Government's position clear from this Dispatch Box on many occasions: the requirement on all sides to live up to their Roadmap commitments does indeed apply to all sides. The Israeli commitment in respect of settlements needs to be honoured.
	My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spelt this out very clearly during his visit to the region and made clear, including in a speech to the Israeli Knesset on 21 July, that we want to see an immediate freeze of settlement activity and indeed withdrawal from them.
	The Government support the resolution of the Golan Heights issue in the context of a peace deal between Syria and Israel. In this context, we are encouraged by reports of indirect talks between Syria and Israel. Syria still has more to do, however, to support the peace process, including ceasing its support for Palestinian terrorist groups.

Pakistan: Christianity

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the government of Pakistan on reports of the abduction of Christian women and their forced conversions to Islam.

Kim Howells: The UK supports freedom of religion and condemns instances where individuals are persecuted or exploited because of their faith. With our EU partners, we raised our concerns over the situation of religious minorities in Pakistan in July.

Rendition

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the statement of 21 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 547-48, on terrorist suspects (renditions), what status the two planes carrying the detainees had when they refuelled at the US facility in Diego Garcia.

David Miliband: As indicated in my written ministerial statement to the House on 3 July 2008,  Official Report, columns 58-59WS, the US considers these to be intelligence flights.

Rendition

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the statement of 21 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 547-48, on terrorist suspects (renditions), what the  (a) name,  (b) nationality and  (c) current status of each of the two detainees is.

David Miliband: As I set out in my statement to the House on 21 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 547-48, the US Government have told us that neither of the individuals was a British national or a British resident. They have informed us that one of the individuals is currently detained in Guantanamo Bay and that the other has been released.

Rendition

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the statement of 21 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 547-48, on terrorist suspects (renditions), whether there is an official log of the landing times and take-off times of the two planes carrying detainees.

David Miliband: Records on flight departures and arrivals on Diego Garcia are generally held for a period of between three and five years by the Island authorities for administration purposes. There are no flight records still held by the Island authorities that cover the period when the two cases of rendition occurred.

Saudi Arabia: Prisoners

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Saudi Arabia on the case of Muhammad Geloo, detained without charge in Saudi Arabia; what progress has been made in securing Mr. Geloo's release; what contacts British consular officials have had with Mr. Geloo during his detention; what reports on the case he has received from HM Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; what steps he has taken in response to reports that Mr. Geloo has been tortured during his detention; when he expects Mr. Geloo's case to be heard before a court; and if he will visit Saudi Arabia to discuss Mr. Geloo's case with the Saudi Government.

Kim Howells: We have made regular representations to the Government of Saudi Arabia, including by our ambassador in Riyadh, regarding the fact that Mr. Geloo has been held without charge. We will continue to do so. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised this case during his trip to Saudi Arabia on 22 April. The Saudi authorities have told us that they intend to charge Mr. Geloo and that they are operating within Saudi law. We do not know when Mr. Geloo's case is expected to be heard before a court.
	We are in regular contact with Mr. Geloo and his family and are providing them with appropriate consular assistance.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's role in cases of British nationals detained overseas is one of welfare. We cannot comment on the veracity of any charges brought against British nationals overseas and we are unable to interfere in the judicial processes of another country. Our own processes are similarly protected. We take allegations about torture very seriously. With the individual's permission, we can take up any justified complaint about ill treatment, personal safety or discrimination with the authorities in question.

Somalia: Armed Conflict

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings his Department has held with Somali officials on the recent military attacks on the parliament town of Baidoa; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not had contact with Somali officials specifically about the attacks on Baidoa.
	The FCO is fully engaged with the Somali Transitional Federal Government on matters of political progress and welcomes the agreement reached in Djibouti on 9 June, between the Transitional Federal Government and the Alliance for the Re-Liberation of Somalia. The UK will make all efforts to support the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General towards ensuring that the Djibouti Agreement is implemented. This stands the greatest chance of resulting in long-term security and stability and improving the lives of ordinary Somalis.

Somalia: Conflict Prevention

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conflict resolution projects the UK is supporting in Somalia under the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool.

David Miliband: The Africa Programme of the Conflict Prevention Pool (CPP) has allocated 2 million to support conflict prevention and peace-building activities in Somalia in the current financial year 2008-09. This includes direct support to civil society organisations engaged in conflict resolution and peace-building and strengthening the political process facilitated by the UN. CPP funding has also been allocated to support a joint donor approach to building and reforming Somali security capacity.

South Africa: Chemical and Biological Warfare

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 12 May 2008,  Official Report, column 1403W, on South Africa: chemical and biological welfare, for what reasons he is unable to confirm or deny details of evidence considered during his Department's investigations into South Africa's Project Coast; and if he will place in the Library the evidence considered in the course of the UK investigations.

Meg Munn: UK investigations carried out following allegations of assistance to South Africa's Project Coast were thorough and drew on a variety of sources, including evidence given to the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. The sensitivity of some of these sources precludes the provision of further details.

Sri Lanka: Politics and Government

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the causes of the escalation in violence between the Sri Lankan Government and the Tamil Tigers; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: In our view, the substantial threat which Sri Lanka faces from domestic terrorism and the Sri Lankan Government's abrogation of the 2002 Ceasefire Agreement, in favour of a policy of military suppression of terrorism, have been major contributory factors to the current levels of violence. The UK's view is that military action alone cannot resolve the conflict; the violence is too high a price for the people of Sri Lanka. Inclusive political negotiations need to take place for a just settlement that can satisfy the legitimate aspirations of all communities in Sri Lanka and promote democracy, stability and the observance of internationally accepted human rights principles.
	During his visit to Sri Lanka, my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, Lord Malloch-Brown, reiterated the UK's concerns to the Sri Lankan Government.

Terrorism: Victim Support Schemes

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to inform the public that Exceptional Assistance Measures for terrorist incidents overseas will not be available to UK citizens travelling abroad without travel insurance.

David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website has been updated and a new version of the publication 'Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide' will reflect these policy changes.
	We will continue to work with our partners through the 'Know Before You Go' campaign. This is a joint venture with the travel industry aimed at ensuring British travellers are better prepared when they go overseas, to ensure that the public are fully aware of the need to take out comprehensive travel insurance.
	For further information on Exceptional Assistance Measures, I refer the right hon. Member to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State's written ministerial statement of 2 June 2008,  Official Report, column 41WS.
	The level of support that might be required if the Exceptional Assistance Measures are activated will be determined by the particular circumstances of the incident, and for this reason the measures remain flexible. Under the measures, the FCO can provide immediate support to British nationals in the country where the incident occurred and to assist their return to the UK, but often victims of major incidents overseas, or their families, need ongoing help after they return to the UK. To address this we have a working agreement with the Humanitarian Assistance Unit in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, who will work with the relevant agencies and services to help victims and their families access the ongoing support they need.

Tibet: Politics and Government

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Chinese Government encouraging that government to participate fully in the eighth round of talks between its representatives and those of the Dalai Lama.

Meg Munn: We have consistently emphasised to the Chinese Government, both in Beijing and London, that the political difficulties in Tibet can best be resolved through dialogue between the Chinese Government and the representatives of the Dalai Lama. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary did this when he met the Chinese Foreign Minister on 12 June. We are pleased that the two sides have restarted the process of dialogue, meeting in Shenzhen in May and again in Beijing from 1-2 July. We look forward to the eighth round of talks taking place as soon as possible and hope this will lead to substantive progress on the issues involved.

Turks and Caicos Islands: Politics and Government

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what fiduciary risk assessment he has undertaken of the debts and liabilities of the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office carries out an annual economic review of the Turks and Caicos Islands, along with a number of other overseas territories. This assesses the state of the public finances, including the ability of the government to service its debt. The most recent review expressed concerns about the public finances, which I have communicated to the government, saying that improvements need to be made. In addition, the Turks and Caicos Islands also has an independent chief auditor, appointed by the Governor. Accounts are audited in accordance with local ordinance and laid before the House of Assembly. Audit reports, some of which have been critical of the Government, are discussed by the Turks and Caicos Islands public accounts committee.

Turks and Caicos Islands: Politics and Government

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment has been made of  (a) the budget of the Turks and Caicos Islands and  (b) the sustainability of the (i) current debt, (ii) fiscal claims and (iii) contingent liabilities in respect of the Islands' administration.

Meg Munn: The Turks and Caicos Islands constitution allows its government to set its own annual budget. The 2008-09 budget was presented to the House of Assembly in April this year and was debated over a number of days before it was passed. The UK does not interfere in the budgetary process but has agreed borrowing guidelines with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government, which limit the level of debt that it can incur.
	We do have concerns about the sustainability of the level of Government debt, including particularly the level of reserve funds, and I have made this clear to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. I have stressed to the Government the importance of improving their public financial management and rebuilding its reserves before any additional borrowing can be permitted. We have also encouraged the Government to act on the findings of their own audit reports, which include recommendations on fiscal claims.

Venezuela: Drugs

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Venezuela on international drug trafficking.

Kim Howells: The former Minister of State for Latin America, my noble Friend Lord Triesman, held useful discussions with the Venezuelan Minister for Europe in June 2007 on the importance of tackling together the flow of cocaine through Venezuela. I held discussions on the issue during my visit to Venezuela in October 2006.
	Officials from our embassy in Caracas, including our ambassador, continue to hold discussions with Venezuelan interlocutors to explore how our Governments can work together to reduce the harm caused to both countries by drug trafficking, along the lines of the informal UK-Venezuela bilateral action plan signed in June 2007.

Western Sahara: Politics and Government

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to oppose any further enhancement of Morocco's relationship with the EU until it complies with its obligations under UN Security Council resolutions in respect of the Western Sahara, with particular reference to the organisation of a referendum on the territory's status.

Kim Howells: The UK welcomes closer co-operation between the EU and Morocco, including the proposal for an Advanced Status Agreement currently under discussion between EU member states, the EU Commission and Morocco. The Agreement will provide for enhanced dialogue and practical co-operation on economic and commercial issues, justice and security, regional co-operation, cultural and educational co-operation and human rights. The UK supports this and the prospect of greater co-operation on a range of human rights issues, including elections, access to justice, women's rights and the role of local human rights non-governmental organisations, as envisaged by the Agreement.
	The UK continues to believe that progress towards a negotiated solution to the dispute in Western Sahara providing for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, is best achieved under the auspices of the UN. To this end and in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution (1813) of 30 April, the UK fully supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to the Western Sahara, Peter van Walsum, and the negotiation process currently under way.

Zimbabwe: Embassies

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 26 June 2008,  Official Report, column 34WS, on diplomatic missions (non-domestic rates), what steps he is taking to ensure the payment of a business rates contribution by the Zimbabwean Government.

Meg Munn: The Valuation Agency (VOA) of HM Revenue and Customs is responsible for billing and collection of National Non Domestic Rates (NNDR). We continue to work with the VOA to press all diplomatic missions to pay their NNDR bills. The VOA issued an updated statement to the embassy of Zimbabwe on 8 July requesting that the embassy pay the sums due, which amounted to 79,883.28.

Zimbabwe: Foreign Relations

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on relations with Zimbabwe following the re-election of Robert Mugabe.

Meg Munn: We maintain diplomatic relations with the Government of Zimbabwe and use them to encourage positive policy change on the ground and to provide a consular service to the British community. The people of Zimbabwe clearly indicated on 29 March that they wish for a change of Government and President and we look forward to improved relations when that change comes.

Zimbabwe: Overseas Students

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many dependants of Zimbabwean officials subject to EU sanctions are  (a) studying and  (b) resident in the UK.

David Miliband: holding answer 21 July 2008
	We continue to gather information on those dependants who might be present in the UK. At the end of 2007 we had identified some 20 dependants, of which about half were believed to be studying. It is worth noting that some are British citizens and/or minors.